Must-sees
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens: Skip the house tour and head straight for the gardens to wander pathways through mystical forests, over footbridges, and along marshes. Feed the fawns in the petting zoo!
Fort Sumter Tours: Hop on a guided ferry ride to explore the site where the first shots of the Civil War were fired.
The Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon: George Washington once schmoozed with the locals here! The dungeon used to hold captured pirates. These days it's a neat museum.
Palmetto Carriage Tours: A narrated horse-drawn carriage ride is a must. This is the oldest carriage tour group in town.
Waterfront Park: Right in town; offers a magnificent fountain to play in, bench swings, and a pier from which you can watch dolphins frolic.
South Carolina Aquarium: A beautifully designed experience. Love the albino alligator exhibit and the Sea Turtle Rescue Center tour!
GOOD EATS
Dixie Supply Bakery & Cafe: Classic southern breakfast dishes (shrimp and grits, sweet potato bread, and tomato pie) at unbeatable prices.
Bakehouse Charleston: Fantastic cookies (try the chocolate clouds).
P&C Exclusive Deal! Get 20% off the nightly rate of any room at the King Charles Inn for travel Jan. 1 to Feb. 29, 2012. Get 10% off the nightly rate of any room for travel March 1 to July 31, 2012. Use the code "scholastic" at checkout. Must book before Jan. 15, 2012; subject to availability; cannot be combined with any other offer. Click here for more of our deals and special offers!
Samantha Brody is the senior editor for Parent & Child.
Photos, top to bottom: Samantha Brody; The South Carolina Aquarium
