By Regina Sass
Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of summer, a time to get out and enjoy nature. In Charleston, South Carolina you can spend the weekend visiting a war memorial, having a traditional picnic or visiting some of the most historic places in the country. All of these things to do in Charleston, South Carolina on Memorial Day weekend are family-friendly and are open all weekend long.
Fort Sumter
Memorial Day is a day to remember the veterans of all the country's wars and there is no better place to visit than Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began. It is open Memorial Day Weekend and does have special events going on. You can get to Fort Sumter by private boat or by a ferry from either Liberty Square in Charleston, or Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
Fort Sumter National Monument
1214 Middle Street
Sullivan's Island, South Carolina 29482
(843-883-3123)
Isle of Palms County Park
Memorial Day is the official start of summer and the beaches, which have only been open on weekends, are now open all week long. Isle of Palms County Park has a beach, picnic area and a children's playground.
Isle of Palms County Park
14th Ave between Palm Blvd and Ocean Blvd,
Charleston, South Carolina 29412
(843-886-3863)
The Old South Carriage Company
The Old South Carriage Company gives 2 ½ mile horse-drawn carriage rides through Charleston every morning starting at 9:00 a.m. You can just come to 15 Anson Street and look for their guides dressed in Confederate uniforms with red sashes. Take a group tour or you can call them and arrange for a private tour.
The Old South Carriage Company
14 Anson Street
(843-723-9712)
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
History really comes alive at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens where you can tour the mansion, which is owned by decedents of the family who first lived here back in 1676. Visitors can also take the nature train, which is a 45-minute trip around the plantation, including diverse environments with a wide selection of wildlife. You can also take a nature boat ride through the 125 acres of rice fields where you might see an alligator or two. Take the slavery to freedom tour where you get to see the slave cabins. Each cabin has been restored to a different period of history from slavery up to the civil right movement. Guests can also take a walk through the 60-acre Audubon Swamp Garden, which is home to dozens of birds and animals.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
3550 Ashley River Road
Charleston, SC 29414
(800-367-3517)
About the Author:
Regina Sass is based in the Adirondack Region of New York State. She has been a writer for 10 years writing for publications in the real estate and retail industries. Online experience includes writing,advertising and editing for an educational web site. Sass is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists.
