If the heat is getting to be too much for you, cool off in style at Charleston's Splash Zone. This water attraction features both tube-style and open, 200-foot slides while also providing a children's Caribbean play area with slides, wheels and sprays that are more suited to the park's younger visitors. If you prefer to just lounge and enjoy the scenery, float along the 500-foot lazy river which offers some unexpected fun with sprays and a big waterfall along the wet and wild route.
Charleston's Waterfront Park is like a living, breathing invitation for visitors and locals alike to take a break from whatever they're doing and enjoy a picturesque slice of natural beauty that is uniquely part of the city's charm. This beautiful attraction is stretched out over eight acres and is situated along the pier at the entrance of Charleston Harbor. The inviting combination of fountains, walking and jogging paths and wooden swings all go to make Waterfront Park a great little escape in the middle of the day and a perfect outdoor spot to unwind.
The kids who visit the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry are highly encouraged to reach out and touch whatever catches their interest. This attraction is a truly inviting place that welcomes curious minds and hands that aren't afraid to grab hold of various exhibits to get a better look at how it all is put together. The children are welcome to explore a castle, dig in the garden, get wet with waterworks and even experience what it's like to be on a shrimping boat! There are always special classes and presentations scheduled, so check back regularly, and bring your little ones for a museum visit they will never forget.
When visiting the Citadel Archives and Museum, you'll marvel at this impressive collection of military history that will fascinate everyone from the most detailed history fan to the casual visitor. The rich history of the Military College of South Carolina and Corps of Cadets is presented through this extensive collection of artifacts, memorabilia, documents, and attractions. The items that tell this dramatic story date all the way back to 1842.
If your kids love to have fun in the sun, there's no better place to let them run wild than Folly Beach, affectionately known as "The Edge of America." This beautiful barrier island is a quick 15 minute drive from downtown Charleston and the Folly Beach County Park is located at the east end of the island. Showers, bathrooms and other conveniences are close by, and the sand, surf and sun of this popular stretch of beach will fast become one of your family's traditions whenever you're in Charleston.
The Magnolia Plantation and Gardens has the distinction of being the site of the country's oldest public gardens that date back to the 17th century. In this historically dramatic slice of nature, you'll find the nation's largest collections of azaleas and camellias. If you want to get a little closer to the natural beauty of this historic attraction, you can opt to take the nature train or boat tour that offer a chance to experience the plantation's wetlands, lakes, forests and marshes. Also, don't miss visiting the plantation's main house, adorned with a striking collection of period pieces and other artifacts that date all the way back to 1873.
The family will surely enjoy a trip to Middleton Place as its dramatic history will capture the kids' imaginations as they walk through this 18th-century plantation. This historic attraction is listed as a National Historic Landmark and boasts one of the country's oldest formal gardens. Some of the structures on site date back to 1755, including a sugar cane mill and Plantation Stableyards for many animals that is still actively used. Don't miss the gift shop and restaurant area as you round out your visit to this truly amazing piece of Charleston's past.
The North Charleston Performing Arts Center prides itself in the tradition of bringing Broadway attractions to South Carolina, as it annually presents stage productions that rival the ones staged further up the coast in a little place called New York City. The talented actors and producers put it all together and theater-goers in town look forward to these presentations every year. In addition to shows that appeal to a more adult audience, there are several titles that hold a high, family-friendly appeal that will no doubt introduce the charms and fun of the theater to the young and aspiring actor or actress in your family.
Enjoy the best of both worlds at the North Charleston Wannamaker County Park. The kids will love running free in the expansive park that spreads out over 1,000 acres. The park features various terrains for the kids to explore that include paved and unpaved trails and spacious fields for any type of sport they choose. The attraction also features picnic tables, a snack bar, playgrounds, restrooms and lots of parking. Plus, the area features a water park that offers many rides for all ages. To make visiting the aquatic adventure more convenient, there are also changing rooms and water equipment rentals available.
If you want to really dive into a truly memorable experience that tells the tale of Charleston's nature and history, then take a trip to the South Carolina Aquarium. There are more than a few photo-opportunities at this seaside attraction, like the excellent, panoramic views of the historic harbor where the Aquarium makes its home. You'll marvel at the displays that tell the stories of the area's natural regions such as the Coastal Plain, Mountain Forest, Piedmont and the Atlantic Coast. Also, you'll get to view an amazing collection of reptiles, birds and other creatures that are part of several interactive exhibits that the kids will never forget.
Taking the plunge has never been as much fun as it is at Splash Island Waterpark ! This water park has been a favorite of both locals and visitors, as the park features vegetation from the Palmetto County Park to accentuate the surroundings. The attraction features such fun amenities as a recreational pool, a 200-foot water slide and 16-foot otter slide. Also, don't forget to ride the Cyclone, a whirling water ride that's 10 minutes packed with super slippin'-and-slidin' fun!
The Charleston Museum has always prided itself in bringing aspects of our history together and presenting them in a truly compelling fashion. Among their many exhibits and attractions, you'll find how the role of textiles played a vital part in the Civil War in a popular exhibit called the Threads of War. Also, a similarly themed exhibit focuses on how Charleston survived being under siege during that particular war and how it pressed on to become the vital city that it is today. More interactive adventures like Kids Story and much more continue the museum's rich tradition of reaching into the lives of children who will one day pass the stories and experiences they've learned here along to their own kids.
The Gibbes Museum of Art has worked hard to earn the respect of both critics and art lovers as it has consistently striven to present the work of some of the most influential artists in America that date as far back as the 16th century.. More significantly, they appropriately focus on some of South Carolina's most famous artists like Peale, Sully and West, whose works are prominently displayed in this impressive and well-designed facility.