Family Fun

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.

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.

Experience stunning panoramic views of Shem Creek and the Charleston Harbor along 2,000 feet of boardwalks. Watch the sun sink into the sea while keeping an eye out for dolphins splashing nearby.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

The Vietnam Experience at the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum is an outdoor and indoor exhibit spanning 2.5 acres, transporting guests into the experience of the Vietnam War. The exhibit recreates a Brown Water Navy support base with recreations of a mess hall, fire control bunker, a Quonset hut, and more. Five authentic Vietnam War-era helicopters can be viewed along with an MK1 River Patrol Boat named "Elaine", and other vehicles and artifacts. The Vietnam Experience is an exhibit for education, as well as a place of reflection for Vietnam War veterans. Access to this exhibit is included with admission to the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum.