Family Fun
Family Fun in Mount Pleasant
Bring the whole family! Kids can discover new passions for nature and history while parents and grandparents can see the Lowcountry through their children’s eyes.
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
Tour National Historic Landmark ships including the USS Yorktown, hear the stories of the country’s bravest men and women at the Medal of Honor Museum and visit the only replica Vietnam Naval Support Base Camp in the U.S. At this Naval and Maritime Museum, you are sure to be inspired.
Waterfront District at Shem Creek
The waterfront district at Shem Creek is a local favorite with fantastic restaurants and bars with gorgeous waterfront views of the Charleston harbor and surrounding marshes. To enjoy the view even closer, book a water adventure, or walk the boardwalk that spans over 2,000-feet-long. Leave the hustle and bustle and sit back in a slice of paradise!
Boone Hall Plantation
Visit Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens to explore Gullah history while engaging in presentations about the history and progress of Black Americans, tour the colorful flower gardens with antique roses, watch butterflies in the butterfly pavilion and more!
Boone Hall Farms
Taste the flavors of the South at Boone Hall Farms. Throughout the year, there are plenty of opportunities to pick your own blueberries, peaches, strawberries, pumpkins and more.
discover adventure
Memories are only a few clicks away. Explore all Mount Pleasant has to offer below.
Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Pavilion
99 Harry M. Hallman Jr Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
The Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Pavilion is temporarily closed for renovations. In the meantime, guests are invited to visit the Mount Pleasant Visitor Center next door to enjoy a temporary sweetgrass exhibit.
The Sweetgrass Basket Pavilion is a cultural arts exhibit on the history of sweetgrass basket making. Located in the Mount Pleasant Waterfront Park, the Sweetgrass Basket Pavilion is a cultural arts exhibit on the history of sweetgrass basket making and serves as a venue in which local basket makers can demonstrate their craft. The open air pavilion features informative kiosks, basket display cases, and a screening area for documentaries. This pavilion is a tribute to the generations of men and women who have carried on the Lowcountry sweetgrass basket tradition for over 300 years. As a stop along the Gullah / Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, the pavilion gives the public an in-depth look at one of America’s oldest and most important African-inspired arts. Sweetgrass baskets are available for sale at Sweetgrass Basket Pavilion. Learn More
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
40 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC, USA
Take the Captain's Tour aboard the USS Yorktown to learn about what life was like for sailors at sea during World War II, Vietnam, and during the recovery of the Apollo 8 space capsule. Some tours go to areas that are usually off-limits for the general public.
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The Venue MTP
627 Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, Suite 107
The Venue MTP is a must-visit destination for live performances and cultural arts experiences. This intimate community arts venue brings theater, music, comedy, dance, and special events to life in a welcoming setting designed to connect audiences with performers up close. The Venue MTP is a cornerstone of cultural arts in Mount Pleasant, offering a diverse lineup of shows that appeal to locals and visitors alike. With thoughtfully designed performance spaces, excellent sightlines, and a relaxed atmosphere, The Venue MTP makes live entertainment feel personal and accessible. From thought-provoking plays and live music to family-friendly performances and community productions, it’s a place where the arts are celebrated year-round!
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Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens
1235 Long Point Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC, USA
While visiting Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens, take a tour of the mansion, a plantation tractor tour, the self guided Black History In America tour, the Slave History Presentation tour, and tours of the beautiful gardens.
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Hog Island Trail
5 Patriots Point Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Explore the scenic Hog Island Trail in Mount Pleasant, SC, a peaceful walking path that winds through nature and salt marshes at Patriots Point. This easy, family-friendly trail offers incredible views of the Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter, and historic downtown Charleston. It’s one of the most picturesque walking trails near Charleston, perfect for nature watching, photography, or a relaxing stroll by the water. Trail visitors can also walk up a short ramp and steps to see the view from the observation deck. Hog Island Trail showcases the natural beauty that makes Mount Pleasant a true Lowcountry treasure! Follow the Keep It Pleasant Promise while exploring Hog Island & Trail!
The entrance to Hog Island Trail can be found on Patriots Point Road across from the golf course parking lot.
Patriots Point Nature Trail
Patriots Point Nature Trail, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 (Entrance across from the Omar Shrine Center)
Discover one of Mount Pleasant’s most scenic outdoor experiences on the Patriots Point Nature Trail, a natural pathway surrounded by coastal views. Located on Patriots Point Road and minutes from downtown Charleston, this easy, family-friendly trail offers shaded paths and lookout points perfect for walking, photography, and quiet nature exploration. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Lowcountry landscapes, making it one of the most memorable places to walk and explore near Charleston, SC. Whether you're seeking a peaceful stroll or a beautiful spot to connect with nature, the Patriots Point Nature Trail delivers a uniquely stunning Mount Pleasant experience. Follow the Keep It Pleasant Promise while exploring the Patriots Point Nature Trail!
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USS Yorktown Museum
40 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC
Walk in the footsteps of heroes when you come aboard the USS Yorktown (CV-10) museum. Known as "The Fighting Lady", the USS Yorktown (CV-10) was an aircraft carrier that participated in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and was the recovery ship for the NASA Apollo 8 mission. In 1975 the ship was brought to Mount Pleasant where it has served as a museum ship and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark.
Experience interactive tours, the Medal Of Honor Museum, viewing fully restored historic aircraft and other vehicles, the Battle Of Midway Exhibit, the Apollo Spacecraft Exhibit, and more!
Pitt Street Bridge
972 Pitt St, Mount Pleasant, SC, USA
Pitt Street Bridge is a former trolley bridge, now a scenic public park. Bring your picnic setup for an evening of waterfront wonder!
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USS Laffey
40 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC
If you’re searching for history in Charleston or unforgettable things to do near Charleston, a visit to the USS Laffey (DD-724) at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant is a must. Known as “The Ship That Would Not Die,” the USS Laffey is one of the most decorated destroyers of World War II and a powerful, hands-on way to experience American naval history just minutes from downtown Charleston.
Commissioned in 1944, the USS Laffey (DD-724) was a Sumner-class destroyer that saw intense combat in the Pacific Theater during World War II. On April 16, 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, Laffey endured one of the most ferocious kamikaze attacks in U.S. Navy history. The ship was struck by multiple bombs and kamikaze aircraft in a single assault, yet remarkably, she survived. Despite devastating damage and heavy casualties, the crew kept her afloat, earning the ship its enduring nickname and a Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism. After World War II, Laffey continued to serve during the Cold War before being preserved as a museum ship, now standing as a floating tribute to the sailors who served aboard her.
Today, visitors can step directly onto this historic destroyer and explore:
⚓ Self-Guided Deck Tours - Walk the weather decks, stand beside massive 5-inch gun mounts, and imagine what life was like during wartime operations.
🛏️ Crew Living Quarters - See the tight sleeping bunks, mess areas, and command spaces that housed hundreds of sailors at sea.
🎖️ Combat Information & Bridge Areas - Explore the nerve center of the ship where critical battle decisions were made.
📚 Educational Exhibits - Learn about World War II naval warfare, the Pacific Theater, and the bravery of Laffey’s crew through interpretive displays and preserved artifacts.
The USS Laffey is included with admission to Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Visitors can also tour other historic vessels and exhibits during their visit, making it one of the most comprehensive maritime history experiences in the Southeast.
