Historic Sites
Sheldon Church Ruins
These graceful remains are a haunting monument to the tragedy of war. Built in 1753, burned by the British in 1779, then rebuilt, the church was burned again by Sherman in 1865. Memorial services on 2nd Sunday after Easter.
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Boone Hall
Dating from 1681, Boone Hall Plantation was a grant from the Lords Proprietors to Major John Boone, a member of Charles Towne's first fleet of settlers. Primarily a cotton plantation, it has one of the most beautiful entrances in the South, with ancient live oaks leading the way for 3/4 mile. The plantation complex features the original cotton gin house and slave row. A Georgian mansion was constructed on the site of the original house in 1935 using its original woodwork and flooring. The main floor only is open for tours. For information call: (843)884-4371
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Burt-Stark House
The Confederacy was born in Abbeville with the first reading of the secession papers. The "Cause" died here as well. In this house, on May 2, 1865, less than a month after Lee's surrender at Appomattox, the War Council of the Confederate Forces met with President Jefferson Davis and formally disbanded the armies. For information call: (864)459-4297
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Charles Towne Landing -1670
An unusual park located on the site of the first permanent English settlement in South Carolina. Take a guided tram tour of the original 1670 fortification. See a replica of a 17th-century trading ketch, explore seven miles of pathways through beautiful English park gardens, walk through the enclosed pathways of the Animal Forest, and participate in activities in the Settlers' Life Area, a partial re-creation of an early South Carolina village. For information call: (843)852-4200
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Fort Sumter National Monument
Possibly the most historic military site in the nation, the first shots of the War Between the States were fired at Fort Sumter from Fort Johnson in 1861. The restored national monument is under the supervision of the National Park Service. For information call: (843)883-3123
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Fort Moultrie National Historic Site
Here in 1776 Col. William Moultrie and his men drove off a squadron of British warships at the Battle of Sullivan's Island. The current structure was completed in 1809. Administered by the National Park Service. For information call: (843)883-3123
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Tourist Attractions
Broadway at the Beach
This 350-acre complex includes live theaters, a nightclub district, restaurants, specialty shops and more. Famous themed restaurants and clubs here include the Hard Rock Cafe, Planet Hollywood, Official All Star Cafe, NASCAR Cafe and Easy Riders Cafe. Well-known entertainers, such as Kenny Rogers, the Oak Ridge Boys and the Radio City Rockettes, perform in the Palace Theater. For information call: (843)444-3200
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Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
Ranked among the top ten zoos in the nation, Riverbanks uses water and light to create the illusion of privacy and wild, unlimited space for 2,000 animals and their visitors alike. Endangered species have reproduced here, helping to prevent their extinction. Life goes on as usual - among sea lions and snakes, tropical birds and Carolina milk cows - in this enchanting setting. Don't miss the feeding of the sea lions (10:30 & 2:30) and penguins (11:30 & 3:30), the tropical rainstorm in the birdhouse (11, 1 & 3 M-F; 11, 1, 2, 3 & 4 Sa & Su), milking demonstrations (10) and scuba diving demonstrations in the Aquarium/Reptile Complex (11 & 2). The 70-acre Botanical Garden features formal gardens and woodland trails. Restaurant and gift shop on the grounds. For information call: (803)779-8717
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Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum
Visit the aircraft carrier Yorktown, the second aircraft carrier of its name, replacing the original lost during World War II. See how 3,000 crewmen worked and lived. The length of three football fields, it houses exhibits of bomber and fighter planes on the hangar bay and showcases letters and mementos of the crew. Also open for tours are the submarine Clamagore, the Coast Guard cutter Ingham, the destroyer Laffey, a re-creation of a Vietnam naval support base, and the Medal of Honor Museum. The Navy Flight Simulator lets visitors experience a five-minute air war over Iraq. An 18-hole golf course provides another diversion. For information call: (843)884-2727
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Brookgreen Gardens
A showplace of art and nature developed in the 1930s by Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington on the site of four colonial rice plantations. Over 550 of America's finest 19th- and 20th- century sculptures, by artists such as Frederic Remington, Daniel Chester French and Mrs. Huntington herself, are exhibited among 2,000 species of plants. Native animals and birds can be seen in a wildlife park, and special guided nature cruises and kayak trips wind through the tidal creeks and abandoned ricefields for a closer peek at the area's history and wildlife. For information call: (843)237-4218
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Ripley's Aquarium Visitors Center
Journey through the world's longest underwater acrylic tunnel with a moving walkway, surrounded by sharks, moray eels and exquisite reef fishes. Touch the winged inhabitants of Ray Bay. See Rio Amazon, Rainbow Rock, The Living Gallery, a discovery center and more - an unprecedented $36 million aquatic collection. For information call: (800)734-8888
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