Family Fun

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.

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!

This park is called the “Crown Jewel of Mount Pleasant” for good reason. Take in the stunning harbor views with access to the Mount Pleasant Pier and Cooper River Bridge pedestrian path.

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.

A memorable way to experience Mount Pleasant and Charleston is to take a Fort Sumter Tour! Fort Sumter Tours offers two departure locations, including one conveniently located at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. Hop aboard the Tour Ferry for a scenic ride across Charleston Harbor to Fort Sumter National Historical Park, an official site of the National Park Service and the place where the first shots of the Civil War were fired in 1861.

Take in incredible views of Charleston Harbor along the way, then step inside Fort Sumter to explore the historic grounds, museum exhibits and stories behind this important piece of American history.

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!

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.

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.

As soon as you enter Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens, you are greeted by the historic Avenue of Oaks. Travel under the tunnel of stunning oak tree branches draped in charming Spanish moss. The oaks are nearly 300 years old, and the 3/4 mile avenue leads to the Main House.