South Carolina Travel Guide
The small state of South Carolina is dominated by agriculture,
with rolling hills and fertile farmland making up the interior and
attractive plantations along the coast. The flat plains and the
undulating pastoral landscapes hold little of interest for the
visitor; the South Carolina coast is the true jewel of the state
and has most of the attractions.Miles of white sandy seashore stretch from the Grand Strand in
the north to the mouth of the Savannah River in the south. The
glitzy heart of the coast is the popular tourist resort of Myrtle
Beach that is famous for its family entertainment, amusement park
attractions and recreational activities, especially golf. A string
of resorts are dotted along the coast to historic Georgetown,
sitting between the carnival atmosphere of Myrtle Beach and the old
port grandeur of Charleston, one of the most elegant cities in the
country. South of Charleston the coastline breaks up into small
marshy islands that preserve traces of the Gullah culture. These
Sea Islands are home to black communities, descendants of the West
African slaves brought to the plantations who were given land when
they were freed in 1865, and who speak a dialect known as Gullah
that is unique to the African-Americans of the Sea Islands of South
Carolina and Georgia.South Carolina, nicknamed the 'palmetto state', has a rich
history that is documented in the beautiful historic district of
Charleston, Civil War sites, including Fort Sumter in Charleston
harbour, and the restored plantation estates. In the 1800s the
state depended heavily on slave labour to work the plantations, and
as a result was the first state to secede from the Union and was a
leader in the dispute over slavery.
South Carolina Travel Guide
Money:
Time:
GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).
Electricity:
Language:
Health:
Tipping:
Safety:
Customs:
Business:
Duty Free:
South Carolina Travel Guide
|
|
Description:
Situated on a small man-made island in the bay guarding the
entrance to Charleston Harbour, Fort Sumter National Monument is
one of the most important historic military sites in the country
where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired in 1861.
With the secession of South Carolina, the Confederates demanded the
surrender of the fort, and after 34 hours of continuous bombardment
the Union forces had no choice but to relinquish their hold. The
Union troops became the first prisoners of the Civil War. The
Confederates occupied Fort Sumter, which became a symbol of
Southern resistance until it was retaken by Union forces in 1865
after nearly four years of almost continual attack, which reduced
most of the fort to rubble. Park rangers conduct free tours around
the restored structure, which includes a museum with historical
displays.
Address:
Postcode:
Telephone:
(843) 883 3123
Email:
Website:
www.nps.gov/fosu
|
|
|
Description:
Along the Ashley River are a series of magnificent plantations
that can be visited, as well as north along the highway towards
Georgetown, where the grounds of Boone Hall Plantation are the main
attraction. A majestic oak avenue leads to the estate that has been
the model for several films including
Gone With the Windand
North and South.The original slave quarters and cotton gin
house can be visited along with the classic mansion. Closest to
Charleston along the Ashley River is Drayton Hall, the oldest
preserved plantation house in America, dating from 1742. The
Georgian mansion is a National Historic Landmark and the only
plantation house on the river to have survived the Civil War
intact. Middleton Place was largely destroyed during the Civil War,
but the south wing has been restored and houses an impressive
collection of silver, historic documents, furniture and paintings.
The ornamental lakes are surrounded by the nation's oldest
landscaped gardens dating from 1741 and are home to roaming
peacocks and other farm animals. The stunning decorative gardens at
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens can be viewed by tram tours that
cover the grounds.
Address:
Postcode:
Telephone:
Boone Hall Plantation (843) 884 4371, Drayton Hall (843)
769 2600, Middleton Place (843) 556 6020, Magnolia Plantation and
Gardens (843) 571 1266
Email:
Website:
www.draytonhall.org
|
|
|
Description:
The South Carolina Aquarium, Charleston's most visited
attraction, features thousands of amazing aquatic animals from
river otters and sharks to loggerhead turtles in over 60 exhibits,
which represent the rich biodiversity of South Carolina from the
mountains to the sea. The Aquarium also presents fabulous views of
Charleston harbour like no other found in the historic downtown
area. Daily interactive exhibits and programs are offered for
visitors of all ages. Every visit to the Aquarium reveals something
new - glimpses of new animals in exhibits, budding plants, baby
animals and more. Not only that, the institution provides a variety
of opportunities to learn about conservation, animal life,
endangered species and environmental issues.
Address:
100 Aquarium Wharf
Postcode:
Telephone:
(843) 720 1990
Email:
Website:
www.scaquarium.org
|
|
|
Description:
America's first museum, the Charleston Museum was founded in
1773. Encompassing three historic buildings, the museum aims to
preserve the unique culture and natural history of Charleston and
the surrounding South Carolina Lowcountry. Exhibitions include
cultural, historic and natural history artefacts and alongside are
two National Historic Landmark houses, the Heyward-Washington House
and Joseph Manigault House, which depict the graceful architecture
and wealthy lifestyle of southern life in days gone by.
Address:
360 Meeting Street
Postcode:
Telephone:
(843) 722 2996
Email:
info@charlestonmuseum.org
Website:
www.charlestonmuseum.org
|
|
|
Description:
The Sea Islands make up more than half of the South Carolina
coastline, separated from the mainland by estuaries and marshes.
These islands are home to black communities descended from slaves,
who were brought to the Carolina's during the 18th century. When
they were freed by the Union army in 1865, the slaves were granted
land here. They are known as Gullah people, having maintained their
dialect of an English-based tongue heavily influenced by several
different African languages, and much of their culture has also
been preserved. During the colonial period, at the height of the
rice culture, slaves from West African rice kingdoms were in high
demand among the plantation owners, teaching their masters how to
plant, grow and cook rice, and those with basket-weaving skills
were highly prized. Today traces of their heritage survives in the
handmade sweet-grass baskets, the food and in the songs performed
by groups like the Sea Island Singers who sing plantation melodies
at concerts in Charleston and Beaufort. St Helena is the least
spoiled of the islands with beautiful landscapes and is home to
small shrimp and oyster fishing communities. The Penn Center is the
unofficial Gullah headquarters, preserving their unique culture and
creating opportunities for the previously disadvantaged Gullahs.
There is also a school started for freed slaves by a black
Massachusetts teacher, and a museum displaying pictures and an
assortment of old farming and fishing tools.
Address:
Postcode:
Telephone:
Email:
Website:
|
|
|
Description:
Angel Oak (or Scarlet's Tree) is thought to be the oldest
existing entity, either living or man-made, east of the Rocky
Mountains. This extraordinary live oak is over 1,400 years old and,
while not very tall, it does boast a vast canopy, in excess of
17,000 square feet (1,600 m2). Angel Oak has survived countless
hurricanes, floods and earthquakes, including severe damage from
Hurricane Hugo in 1989. The tree's forest home may have been one of
the islands' many lumber sources for ship-building back in the 18th
century.
Address:
3688 Angel Oak Road, Johns Island
Postcode:
Telephone:
(843) 559 3496
Email:
Website:
|
|
|
Description:
Set in the Caw Caw Swamp, the Caw Caw Interpretive Center is
home to vast natural, cultural and historical displays. Dating back
to the 18th century, this formerly slave-worked rice paddy exhibits
earthen dikes, rice trunks and canals. Many species of plants and
animals can be seen in the wildlife sanctuary, from beech-holly
forests to bald eagles and otters. Self-guided canoeing is also
possible (fee is $10 per canoe).
Address:
5200 Savannah Highway, Highway 17 South Ravenel
Postcode:
Telephone:
(843) 889 8898
Email:
Website:
www.ccprc.com
|
|
|
Description:
The Hunley submarine first arrived in Charleston by train in
1863 and is now on display in a conservation tank at Charleston's
Old Naval Base. Here, visitors can see facial reconstructions of
the Hunley crew, artefacts excavated from the submarine and the
legendary gold coin that supposedly saved the captain's life. There
is also a life size model of the vessel from
The Hunleymovie and a National Geographic documentary for
visitors to enjoy.
Address:
Warren Lasch Conservation Center, 1250 Supply
Street
Postcode:
Telephone:
(843) 743 4865 (ext. 10)
Email:
Website:
www.hunley.org
|
|
|
Description:
The British used Provost Dungeon to hold prisoners
during the American Revolution, and in 1774 the Old Exchange
Building hosted the delegate elections for the First Continental
Congress. This site was firmly constructed and has (in part)
withstood war, earthquakes and even hurricanes. Part of the
Half-Moon Bastion was excavated here and is the only visible
section of the old Charles Town fort.
Address:
122 East Bay Street
Postcode:
Telephone:
(843) 727 2165
Email:
Website:
|