Things to See in South Carolina

Fort Sumter National Monument

See where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, and view ruins left by the battle between the North and the South. Explore the remains of officers' quarters, enlisted men's barracks and original gun rooms. Marvel at large cannons still positioned on the rocky grounds. Accessible by ferry, Fort Sumter tours depart from Liberty Square in Charleston or from Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant. Service operates daily except Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. Rates and schedules vary, but tours generally leave between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and are $16 for adults, $14.50 for seniors and $10 for children.

Fort Sumter National Monument
1214 Middle St.
Sullivan's Island, SC 29482
(843) 883-3123

Liberty Square at Aquarium Wharf
340 Concord St.
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 883-3123

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
40 Patriots Point Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 884-2727

Alligator Adventure

Home to rare alligators, 300 different snakes and a multitude of lizards, frogs and turtles, Alligator Adventure bills itself as the "reptile capital of the world." Observe some of the most feared reptiles, or learn about the ones misunderstood. Watch alligators lunge out of the water and clamp their powerful jaws around meat during the park's daily feedings. Or interact with a 250-pound Burmese python. If you're not the reptile type, check out the zebras, lions, bears and exotic birds on this wetland habitat. The park is open daily, but call for the hours. Admission in 2009 is $16.95 for adults, $14.95 for seniors and $10.95 for children ages 4 to 12.

Alligator Adventure
4864 Highway 17
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
(843) 361-0789

Brookgreen Gardens

South Carolina's history merges with art and nature on this sprawling 9,000-acre preserve. Surrounded by tall oaks, hanging moss and year-round blooms, you'll see hundreds of works by American sculptors dating from the 1800s to the present. Hop on a pontoon boat and ride along abandoned rice fields as you learn about slaves who once tended the crops. And don't miss the protected wildlife. Red and gray foxes, white-tailed deer, bald eagles, wood ducks, egrets and otters make this national landmark home. The preserve is open daily except Christmas from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission in 2009 is $12 for those ages 13 to 64, $10 for those 65 and older and $5 for those ages 6 to 12. From mid-March through November, the pontoon boat excursion fees are $7 for adults and $4 for children and are separate from admission.

Brookgreen Gardens
1931 Brookgreen Drive
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
(843) 235-6000

Historic Beaufort

Named by "National Geographic Adventure" as one of the top waterfront spots, Beaufort, South Carolina, has a lot to see, including filming locations for "Forrest Gump" and "The Big Chill." But it's downtown Beaufort that offers diverse history. By foot or carriage, you'll see stately plantation mansions built by slaves before the Civil War. Pass the Milton Maxey House, where succession documents for South Carolina were drawn up. Trace the city's history at the Beaufort Arsenal, where its military museum displays Civil War documents, clothing and Native American artifacts. Or visit Penn Center and see where South Carolina's newly-freed slaves were taught.

Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center (Offers self-guided walking-tour maps of historic Beaufort; open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.)
2001 Boundary Street at Town Center
Beaufort, SC 29902
(843) 525-8531

Milton Maxey House
113 Craven St.
Beaufort, SC 29902

Beaufort Arsenal Museum (Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday.)
713 Craven St.
Beaufort, SC 29902
(843) 525-7077

Penn Center (Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission in 2009 is $5 for adults, $4 for those 55 and older and $2 for those ages 6 to 16.)
16 Penn Center Circle W.
St. Helena Island, SC 29920
(843) 838-2432

Southurn Rose Buggy Tours (Narrated tours of movie sites, the Milton Maxey House and antebellum mansions. Tours depart from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, but hours may vary by season. Admission in 2009 is $18 for adults and $7 for children ages 5 to 12.)
911 Boundary St.
Beaufort, SC 29902
(843) 524-2900

The Citadel

Watch cadets march in formation during a Friday afternoon dress parade. Or tour the grounds of this historic military college, and see artifacts dating back to 1842 at the Citadel Museum. Postcards, letters and photographs are among the many items depicting Citadel life throughout history. The school is open year-round, except for college, religious and national holidays. Check the parade schedule for specific dates and starting times. The museum's hours are 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.

The Citadel
171 Moultrie St.
Charleston, SC 29409
(843) 953-6846