This plantation gives a tour explicitly from the point of view of the enslaved people that lived…read morethere. They do not intend a light fluffy experience. They do not want you to walk away feeling light. Our tour guide had personal connections to six of the nine black people who were killed in 1990 by someone who had gone on this tour. The big house is not part of the tour, but you can walk it on your own, there is no furniture and you can only get to the main floor. You will get to look into the slave quarters. You'll get to pick a eucalyptus leaf off a tree and learn about the medicinal uses. You'll get to see the Cook house and hear about the slave children who had to bring the food from there to the big house. You'll learn about various people who lived there throughout the years and how their lives progress before and after their time at this plantation.

This is a great way to learn about the history of slaves and the civil war along with the history…read moreof this plot of land. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable.

We were planning on visiting Boone Plantation, but we were early, since it opens at Noon on…read moreSundays. So, we had some time to kill. Almost across the street I have noticed a sign for Charles Pickney National Historic Site which looked open, so off we went. There is a big parking lot upon entrance. Free to visit. Big, woodsy grounds with a few trails, historic houses (closed for the season when we visited in November), a small visitor center with picnic benches, clean restrooms, water fountains. We enjoyed walking around, decompressing, admiring the Spanish moss and the camellias in bloom. We also learnt about Charles Pickney (had no idea who he was), always interesting to get a slice of local and US History. He was a land owner, a politician, a Founding Father who contributed to the Constitution, South Carolina governor (several times), US Senator and member of the House. Also, alongside his wife, Eliza were some of the first people developing indigo crops. All this information you ready by walking around it's interesting and will tie in with the facts and stories you will get while touring Boone plantation. It all connects. Great place to stumble into, it has a bit of everything: respite, nature, history. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. TIP: If you are early for Boone, pop in here. You should do both place if you have time! Lots to learn and the historic site has lots of charm on its own!

This historical park lies near one of Charleston's many prominent plantation-turned-attraction…read moresites. This is far less adorned, less aesthetically impressive. However, as a piece of history it was more interesting than I expected. Speaking as a Washingtonian, the name Charles Pinckney means nothing to me and is not a prominent part of the pantheon of Founding Fathers and the surrounding narrative that we so often hear. The site here tries to make the case that this individual was influential in the country's founding, as well as holding a diverse variety of other roles. And yet, the museum house that forms the centerpiece of this site also focuses on the plantation system that formed the lifeblood of the region and is quite detailed about the slave labor that went into it. Gullah spirituals echo through the walls, and dueling murals in the hall express the fundamental contradiction between the inventors of individual rights simultaneously owning human beings. I don't know what used to be here, but museums in this region have stepped up to the challenge presented by this history. Otherwise, the site offers a brief trail and a boardwalk that's more of a platform looking out into the swamp and the nearby road. I probably spent a little over an hour in the park, which was more than I thought. And it was free.

This historical marker along US-17 is in front of the Hampton Plantation Historic site and provides…read morea brief overview of the history. This is old Charleston, dating back to Colonial times, and even in condensed form the place carries more weight than the marker can hold. It notes the Horry and Rutledge families and the plantation's early eighteenth century origins, but it leaves out the deeper story of the rice economy built through the labor and agricultural knowledge of enslaved Africans whose work shaped every field along the Santee. The front of the marker reads, "Hampton Plantation, 2 mi. N.W., was established by 1730 and was one of the earliest rice plantations on the Santee River, in an area settled by Huguenots and often called "French Santee." The house, built in the 1730's for Elias Horry, later passed to his granddaughter Harriott Horry, who married Frederick Rutledge in 1797. The plantation remained in the Rutledge family until 1971." And the reverse, "One of Hampton's best-known owners was Archibald Rutledge (1883-1973), educator, man of letters, and first poet laureate of S.C. He wrote of life there in Home by the River (1941), calling it "the mother plantation of this old plantation country." Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970, it has been Hampton Plantation State Park since the state acquired it in 1971." The limited space on the marker omits much. Including the near‑loss of the house in the twentieth century and Archibald Rutledge's role in reviving interest, as well as the long‑loved Washington Oak that tradition links to George Washington's 1791 visit. Today the unfurnished house and quiet grounds at Hampton Plantation State Park offer a clearer sense of the layered past than the roadside text suggests, inviting visitors to step beyond the marker and into a landscape where memory, myth, and history still mingle. It is marker number 1040 and it was erected in 2001 by the St. James-Santee Parish Historical Society. [Review 107 of 2026 - 1377 in South Carolina - 25297 overall]

The site is still in the process of improvement, but even just walking the grounds is a memorable…read moreexperience. A history trail has been added with some visually and intellectually stimulating exhibits. The mansion is rarely if ever open but offers some interesting views. And a walk through the abandoned rice fields yields both wildlife sightings and hints of the place's past. There is a charge to get in, but they waived it for me as I stopped in just at the end of the day to take a quick walk. There are a variety of more developed areas that give private plantation tours, but this outdoor setting is an entirely worthy state park.

Visited: February 16, 2026…read more The Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon was the perfect blend of history and hustle. From the moment you step onto the grounds, you feel the weight of Charleston's past. Inside, the immersion begins immediately -- postcards, patches, and meaningful souvenirs that make it easy to bring a little history home for friends and family. The highlight, though, was the tour. Our guide was a jolly local with razor-sharp, dry Southern wit -- the kind of storyteller who can pivot from Revolutionary War imprisonment to a perfectly timed sarcastic aside without missing a beat. Equal parts charm and "bless your heart," she made centuries-old history feel present and personal. Down in the Provost Dungeon, those brick walls carry gravity. British occupation. Prisoners of war. Pirates passing through. It's one of those rare spaces where you instinctively lower your voice. You don't just learn history -- you feel it. History hit different here. If you appreciate immersive storytelling, preserved architecture, and a tour that balances education with personality, this is absolutely worth your time.

Amazing! We just left and had Noah as our tour guide. He did such a wonderful job! We had dinner…read morereservations and had to leave a smidge early but he was so gracious and did a fabulous job answering our questions.

The Admiral's House on Navy Way in North Charleston is a beautiful and historical house that has…read morebeen fully restored and now is an excellent and unique venue option for a special event. I really like the atmosphere and location here with the three levels and the balcony overlooking everything. This is a cool place that really stands out.

Had a wonderful hair cut here. Staff were all extremely nice. Dedicated surface lot--yes!…read moreRecommended!

I went on my honeymoon here and it was the best experience. I miss this place and have such good…read morememories. I can't wait to return, and look forward to coming back.

Was driving home from Florence on a Friday afternoon, taking a rural route, and saw the sun shining…read morethrough the ruins. I immediately stopped, and had to check it out. Plus it screamed take pics!! Really not much to see, but church ruins and grave stones. The winter weather was making it dark and gloomy, but the church ruin is amazing to look at. Historical marker standing nearby to give some history. Many faded tomb stones, hard to read, but I did notice the last name Cordes. I would assume that is why it's called Cordesville nearby. Glad I could stop before the sun set. Would I return? Maybe in the spring to see green and the azalea blooms. If passing by on hwy 402, check it out.

Biggin Church Ruins is a beautiful old historic church near Moncks Corner. No commercial…read morephotography is allowed. And they've put up a fence around it for preservation efforts. But it's a peaceful place to stop for a snapshot and walk through the quiet cemetary.

Enjoyed a quiet, early morning walk along the water. The views of the lighthouse were incredible…read more-very peaceful.

The lighthouse is not accessible from land and you can't even get there directly from Morris…read moreIsland! That said, if you're willing to drive a half hour or so from Charleston across James Island and across the Folly Island causeway and then a couple of miles parallel to Folly Beach to get to the gate at the entrance to the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve https://www.yelp.com/biz/lighthouse-inlet-heritage-preserve-folly-beach?hrid=fwYKXGE-nutYG9bRU9dKgw and then walk a half mile or so down a graffiti road and then a few hundred yards of sand, you can get to a point where you can actually SEE the lighthouse. Was all of that journey worth it? Unquestionably so. A great addition to my Lighthouses collection https://www.yelp.com/collection/GLWJhPZloUBCLUFSYgLw4g. Standing at the entrance to Charleston harbor since 1767 and updated many times since then, the lighthouse has suffered from the erosion caused by rerouting the Ashley, Cooper and Wando Rivers. It used to be *on* the island and now it *is* the island. It's also been damaged by storms including Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and Hurricane Irma in 2017. The lighthouse is closed to the public and as far as I know, the small amount of space at the base is also off limits. But you can sure appreciate it from the tip of Folly Beach or perhaps you're on a boat. Definitely check it out. [Review 19513 overall - 1084 in South Carolina - 483 of 2023.]

I took the ferry from Mount Pleasant. The Mount Pleasant ferry tickets are purchased online or…read morenext to the window for USS Yorktown tickets. The ferry itself is right across from USS Yorktown. (There is also a ferry from Charleston) I think this is definitely worth it. It's very interesting. We only got 60 minutes on the fort, 90 minutes would have been better. I'll have to go again. First we had an interesting 10 minutes talk from the self designated "Most Handsome Man" in the National Park Service. I forgot his name but he was very cool. The female ranger there was cool as well. Outside there are several plaques to read and they are definitely worth reading. Lots of cannons there. Great views. I took lots of pictures. There is a small indoor museum too with lots of info. There was only 15 minutes left by the time I got into the museum so I just videoed all I could to look at later. Lots to read in the museum as well. I ran out of time and didn't make it to the bookstore. I will go again. Hopefully next year.

This was an amazing experience. I would suggest planning this out ahead of time. The Fort is free…read more You need to pay for the ferry that takes you there. Tickets can be bought online or at the visitor center. Small discount if you buy the tickets online. There are two spots for the ferry. One is in Charleston and the other is Patriot Point in Mt Pleasant. I left from Charleston. It's about a 30 minute ferry ride to the fort. You get to see views of the bridge and the USS Laffey on the way to the fort. I enjoyed my time there. I was on the last tour of the day. The last tour looks for volunteers to take the flag down for the day. I would suggest volunteering, it was very memorable. There was a lot of historical information that the rangers went over. It's self guided but you can talk to the rangers and ask questions. Ranger Chris was amazing. Very personable and full of knowledge. He definitely enjoyed what he does. He spoke for a portion of the ride back to give more information including places to eat in Charleston. I would visit again, but this time leave from Patriot Point to see the museum.

I have to admit I'm an easy mark for a place like this…read more But I really found the price of admission and the information provided was absolutely worth it Small but informative museum, including a great Short documentary that provides all the information you need about the very important role This location played in the revolution. The tour of the Fort is self-directed and is interesting to see after going into the museum It's kept up well, but I actually found the museum more valuable than the fort itself glad I went! Didn't get to see Fort Sumter, which remains on the list, but this is also worthwhile and is both cheaper and less of a drag on time

This was my second visit to the Fort Moultrie Visitor Center and I'm glad we made time to stop…read moreagain while exploring Sullivan's Island. Earlier in the day, we had visited nearby Fort Sumter, but instead of taking the ferry out to the fort itself, we stopped here to learn more about Charleston's harbor defenses and the area's fascinating history. The visitor center has several exhibits providing great context before (or after) exploring the historic sites. After spending some time inside, we crossed the street to walk around Fort Moultrie itself. Between the exhibits and the fort, it was an enjoyable way to spend an hour or so. Whether it's your first visit or your second, I'd recommend making a stop here. The staff was friendly (I love rangers), the exhibits were informative, and it's a nice complement to a visit to Fort Sumter or the rest of the Charleston area.