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Why is Charleston a great family vacation destination?
- Boasting a large variety of exhilarating attractions for visitors of all ages, Charleston is a great place to spend your next family vacation.
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What types of activities does Charleston offer?
- There is an abundance of outdoor activities for families to enjoy.
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1. South Carolina Aquarium
When you need to find the perfect attraction for children of all ages you need look no further than the South Carolina Aquarium. The aquarium offers your children the chance to get up close and personal with up to 5,000 creatures including birds, alligators, otters, fish, turtles, sharks and many, many more. You could easily spend an entire day enjoying the varied programs which include All about Otters, Turtle Talk and All about Alligators. Children can touch and feel various sea creatures in the Touch Tank and hand-feed stingrays in The Shallows. Strollers are welcome (and can be hired on site) and there are changing stations and feeding rooms for younger visitors.
South Carolina Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC 29401, Phone: 843-577-3474
2. Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry
There is nothing children like more than having a new and stimulating environment to explore. The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry (CML) provides just that – a huge interactive playground where children of all ages are encouraged to use their imagination and engage with interactive displays in a succession of innovative settings such as the Medieval Creativity Castle, the Fire Truck, Pirates, Hideaways and The Art Room. Even very young children are catered to at the Infant and Toddler Playspace which has many interesting tactile and fine motor toys. If you live in the area and would like to visit regularly you can purchase an annual membership which grants free family access for a year.
Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, 25 Ann St, Charleston, SC 29403, Phone: 843-853-8962
3. The Angel Oak
A visit to The Angel Oak on John’s Island near Charleston is both fascinating and educational. The famous Angel Oak (so called because it grows on a property which belonged to the Angel family) is believed to be at least 400 years old and is easily the largest living organism east of the Mississippi. Your children will be able to get right up close to the mighty tree which reaches a height of 65ft (six storeys) and has an abundance of enormous branches, some of which have grown over 180 feet long. The tree has survived numerous natural disasters, floods and hurricanes and continues to provide an impressive presence which most children find intriguing.
The Angel Oak, 3688 Angel Oak Rd, John’s Island, SC 29455-3300
4. Battery and White Point Gardens
Located in the heart of Charleston’s beautiful historic district,Battery and White Point Gardens is a public park which offers wonderful views and a place for children to run around and play in a safe area. In addition to offering amazing views and a shady place to sit and reflect, the park is home to an impressive collection of cannons and mortars, which date back to the Civil War when the park formed part of the city’s defenses. Surrounded by these relics, Battery and White Point Gardens is the perfect place to teach your children some of the fascinating history of South Carolina.
East Battery & Murray Blvd, Charleston, SC 29401, Phone: 843-724-7327
5. The North Charleston Fire Museum
The North Charleston Fire Museum and Education Center is a must-see attraction for all visitors to Charleston, especially if you have an aspiring fire fighter in the family. The museum boasts the largest collection of antique fire engines and fire-fighting equipment in the country, all of which is preserved in perfect working order. Not only is the museum an interesting attraction for the whole family, it could also save lives as families are taught how to react in case of a real fire in their homes. There are coloring activities for the younger visitors while older children can take part in hands-on bucket brigades and other interactive activities with combine education and fun.
The North Charleston Fire Museum, 4975 Centre Pointe Drive, North Charleston, SC 29418, Phone: 843-740-5550
6. Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site
For a great family day out packed with educational fun activities, the Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site is hard to beat. The site is located on a marshy point along the Ashley River where a small contingent of English settlers landed in 1670, paving the way for the establishment of South Carolina. There is plenty to see and do – you can start by taking an audio tour of the history trail to find your bearings. Children can experiment with hands-on interactive exhibits at the Visitor’s Center before boarding a 17th century replica sailing ship to get a glimpse of life on the high seas. Canon demonstrations and the Animal Forest Zoo complete the picture. You could also rent bikes and explore over 80 acres of gardens.
Charles Towne Landing, 1500 Old Towne Rd, Charleston, SC 29407, Phone: 843-852-4200
7. Charleston City Market
The Charleston City Market is a good place to spend a few hours shopping for authentic crafts and delicious edible treats. The market has something to interest every member of the family including the children who will particularly enjoy the Turtle Creek puzzle store (where they can spend hours trying out the beautifully crafted wooden puzzle boxes). Another firm favorite is the Wonder Works store which stocks a wide range of toys, gadgets, books and more. The market is very family-friendly and easy to navigate with a stroller. When the little visitors get tired and cranky you will find plenty of food stalls offering tasty and healthy snacks to revive their spirits.
The Charleston City Market, 188 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401
8. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Established back in 1676 by the Drayton family, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is widely acknowledged to be one of America’s oldest and most beautiful public gardens. Children will enjoy visiting the on-site Zoo and Nature Center where they can meet and pet a variety of animals native to South Carolina. When everyone needs a break from walking you can board the Nature Train for a 40-min guided tour of the 600-acre gardens and wildlife habitats, or hop aboard for a Rice Field Boat Tour (to look for alligators and water birds). There are several other attractions which older children will enjoy including the Audubon Swamp Garden and Sunday morning guided bird walks.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, 3550 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414, Phone: 843-571-1266
9. Fort Sumter
Located on an island in Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter is a must-see Charleston attraction for families. Here you can give your children the opportunity to learn about the Civil War as they explore the very spot where the first shots were fired. Even the approach to the fort is exciting, as you enjoy a narrated 30-min boat trip to reach the island. On arrival all children can enroll in the Junior Ranger program and receive activity books to complete as they tour the facility and learn about the history of the fort from the guides – Junior Ranger badges are issued after the tour.
Fort Sumter Tours, 360 Concord St, Charleston, SC, Phone: 843-881-7337
10. Charleston Public Library
The Charleston Public Library is the ideal place to take children of all ages for some stimulating and educational fun. The library operates regular Babygarten and Baby Story Time events for very young children (0 to 2yrs), as well as Story Time for toddlers, pre-schoolers and families. Members can also check out a story time Kit to Go, containing puzzles, books and other fun activities to enjoy at home. All children can attend Early Literacy sessions while older children can get acquainted with audio books, E-books and computers. The enthusiastic library staff is always on hand to recommend age-appropriate new book arrivals.
Charleston County Public Library has several branches dotted around the city.
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. South Carolina Aquarium
- 2. Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry
- 3. The Angel Oak
- 4. Battery and White Point Gardens
- 5. The North Charleston Fire Museum
- 6. Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site
- 7. Charleston City Market
- 8. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
- 9. Fort Sumter
- 10. Charleston Public Library