Family Fun

For an easy way to enjoy the water in Mount Pleasant, head to the Mount Pleasant Pier at Memorial Waterfront Park, just minutes from downtown Charleston. As the longest pier in the Carolinas, it’s a great spot to take a relaxing walk, cast a line for fishing, or simply enjoy the views of the Cooper River, Charleston Harbor, and the Cooper River Bridge.

Stop by the River Watch Café & Gift Shop for quick bites, cold drinks, and ice cream, browse the shop, or find a spot to sit and watch the boats go by. Whether you’re looking for things to do in Mount Pleasant, a place to fish near Charleston, or just a great waterfront view, come on out, take your time, and enjoy a little Lowcountry life by the water.

The Mount Pleasant Splash Pad is located at Memorial Waterfront Park, as a piece of the 2025 Phase III addition. This popular splash pad is designed with the heart of Mount Pleasant in mind with elements of the Arthur Ravenel Bridge and the old Mount Pleasant water tower included. Restrooms are available at the park. There is not a life guard on duty, swim/splash at your own risk. No pets, bikes, or skateboards allowed in the splash pad area.

Operating Hours: April - October, 8:00 AM - Dusk. The last day of the 2026 season is Sunday, October 25, 2026.

The Splash Pad is closed on Tuesdays from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm for routine maintenance to keep it in safe conditions. To see if the Splash Pad is open or closed before you go, sign up for Mount Pleasant Recreation Department alerts!

Step aboard the USS Yorktown after dark for a ghost tour unlike anything you’ll find in downtown Charleston. Led by Bulldog Tours at Patriots Point, this after-hours experience takes visitors through the historic aircraft carrier while sharing the real military history, eerie stories and unexplained encounters that have helped make the ship one of the Lowcountry’s most haunted landmarks. As you move through quiet passageways and shadowy corners of the USS Yorktown, you’ll hear stories of sailors, service and the strange moments of souls who may still be watching over the ship. Make this ghost tour a must-do for a Halloween outing, a fall date night or just searching for a chilling way to experience one of Mount Pleasant’s most iconic attractions.

Nature Adventures is creating experiences and memories to last a lifetime. If you want to rent or be on our guided kayak or stand up paddleboard tour in the waters around Mount Pleasant and Charleston, they have many options!

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.

Tucked into the heart of Oakland Market, the Winnowing Hands statue is a stop that blends powerful storytelling with an unforgettable photo moment. The larger-than-life sculpture features two hands gently holding a traditional winnowing basket, celebrating the centuries-old art of Gullah Geechee sweetgrass basket-making that has shaped Mount Pleasant’s cultural identity.

Supported and dedicated by the Town of Mount Pleasant, this striking piece honors the generations of artisans whose skill, creativity, and resilience continue to define the Lowcountry. Set against a lively mix of shops and dining, Winnowing Hands invites visitors to pause, snap a photo, and connect with a living tradition that’s as meaningful today as it was generations ago, making it a must-see stop for anyone exploring Mount Pleasant’s history and culture.

Take in breathtaking views of Mount Pleasant, downtown Charleston, and the Charleston Harbor from Wonders’ Way - the dedicated walking and biking path along the Cooper River Bridge in Mount Pleasant. Stretching 2.7 miles (5.4 miles round trip), this pathway offers the perfect blend of exercise and sightseeing for walkers, bikers, and runners. With sea breezes, soaring diamond bridge towers, and panoramic views all around, it’s one of the most unforgettable ways to experience the beauty of the Lowcountry. Follow the Keep It Pleasant Promise while exploring Wonders' Way!

Access Wonders' Way from Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park.

Located at a scenic point at the Shem Creek boardwalks is the Wayne Magwood Fisherman’s Statue. This statue is more than a photo stop, it’s a celebration of Mount Pleasant’s deep-rooted shrimping heritage and one of its most legendary champions. Captain Wayne Magwood was a lifelong fisherman whose passion for local seafood took him from the docks of Shem Creek to the halls of Washington, D.C., where he fiercely advocated for American shrimpers as President of the South Carolina Shrimpers Association, earning the state’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto. His boat, Winds of Fortune, became an icon in its own right, famously spotlighted in commercials and media that helped shine a national light on the Lowcountry’s fishing way of life.

After his passing in 2020, the community rallied to honor that legacy with this life-sized statue, a tribute not only to Captain Magwood, but to the entire Magwood family, whose ties to Shem Creek span more than a century. Today, the statue stands as a powerful reminder of Mount Pleasant’s working waterfront, local seafood traditions, and the enduring spirit that still comes alive each year during the Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival, which the Magwood family helped found.

Coastal Expedition's flagship location at Shem Creek is the perfect introduction to Charleston history and wildlife, complete with unmatched views of the Holy City skyline. Private parking & docks, retail store and changing area. Tours and rentals 7 days a week by kayak, paddleboard and boat.