Some ideas for adults and the kids while  you are visiting

Fort Sumter

If you decide to take a tour of Fort Sumter we suggest making a reservation before you get to Charleston.  Since you get to take a cruise over to Ft Sumter you will see Charleston from a different perspective so make sure to take a lot of photos.

Patriots Point

During the cruise to Ft Sumter or on your drive over the big bridge into Charleston you will likely see Patriots Point and the two impressive ships and a submarine that visitors and locals love to explore.  Give yourself plenty of time to take photos and build memories and learn all about these three awesome pieces.

Charleston Plantations

While the Charleston Gardens are fun to visit any time of the year, as a local we always visited them during the spring when the most flowers were in bloom.  It was a big treat to go and have a picnic or lunch at one of the gardens.  Visitors have asked many numerous times which of the Gardens and Plantations is my favorite but I have to admit that it has changed many times over the years.  At one time Magnolia Gardens was my favorite and another time it was absolutely Cypress Gardens.  Now that I own Carolina Elegance my

If military history isn’t your thing (or not the kids’ thing), you can take them all to one of the fantastic Charleston plantations. All are fantastic: Drayton Hall, Boone Hall Plantation, Middleton Place, or Magnolia Plantation. Of this group, the ones most interesting to children are Boone Hall, Magnolia Plantation, or Middleton Place. These offer more of the “plantation experience”. That means, they have re-enactors, animals, and other things that keep younger visitors entertained. The least expensive of the group would be Boone Hall Plantation. Admission costs $20 for adults, $12 for kids 6-12, and is free for younger children.

4. Charles Towne Landing

If the cost of a real Charleston plantation is too much for you to afford taking the whole family, there are several other kid-friendly weekend activities. One of my favorites is Charles Towne Landing. This is the location of the first European settlement in the Charleston area. The colonists abandoned the settlement and moved to the peninsula, leaving only earthen mounts used as defenses. They established the walled city between what is now the Charleston City Market and the Battery and White Point Gardens. That said, the parks system added replica homes, a replica ship, and a zoo of animals that lived here when the Europeans first arrived. It’s got some of the lamer stuff like turkeys, deer, a skunk, and farm animals, but the Charles Town Landing zoo also has a black bear, vultures, mountain lions, bison, a bobcat, red wolves, and otters.

5. Blackbeard’s Cove

As far as I know, the only place to play mini golf or putt putt in the Charleston area is Blackbeard’s Cove. This place is one of those tacky places that will keep kids entertained for a good, long while. Activities include two 18-hole miniature golf courses, a go-cart track, and indoor games and activities. Regardless of the weather, the whole family will enjoy it. I’ve only played miniature golf here (more than I should admit), but it seems the hordes of kids in the indoor gaming area are enjoying themselves any time I’m there. This may be a good activity to lump-in with a visit to Patriots Point or Boone Hall Plantation. Besides Blackbeard’s Cove, there is also a bowling alley in Mount Pleasant with its own arcade games area.