parks and tours
Parks and Tours in Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant is home to some of the best South Carolina parks. Connect with nature with over a dozen parks, trails, and a variety of tours.
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Memories are only a few clicks away. Explore all Mount Pleasant has to offer below.
Nature Adventures
1 Shrimp Boat Ln, Mount Pleasant, SC, USA
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!
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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
Alhambra Hall Venue
131 Middle St, Mount Pleasant, SC, USA
Recently renovated, the historic Alhambra Hall event venue is located in the Old Village Historic District of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. The 3,280 square foot Main Hall offers amazing view of the Charleston Harbor, hardwood floors, large southern porches, and vaulted ceilings. The venue is popular for weddings, receptions, corporate events, family gatherings and more. Alhambra Hall hosts only one event per day for an exclusive experience.
The area is open to the public. Pets are welcome to enjoy the grassy lawn and sea breeze, but must be leashed at all times. Leave nothing behind but pawprints!
To schedule an appointment to tour the venue for your upcoming event, call (843) 849-2053.
Fort Sumter Tours
40 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC
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.
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 and historic downtown Charleston. It’s one of the most picturesque walking trails in Mount Pleasant, 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 of the Charleston Harbor 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.
Palmetto Islands County Park
444 Needlerush Pkwy, Mount Pleasant, SC, USA
Looking for the best parks in South Carolina near Charleston? Palmetto Islands County Park in Mount Pleasant is a 943-acre outdoor retreat perfect for nature lovers and families. Nestled along the scenic marshes of Horlbeck Creek, the park features walking and biking trails, tidal creek kayaking, fishing spots, and shaded picnic areas. Kids can splash at the water playground while adults enjoy nature watching, boardwalk strolls, or climbing the observation tower for panoramic Lowcountry views. Just minutes from downtown Charleston, Palmetto Islands is one of the top things to do in Mount Pleasant for anyone who wants to explore nature, relax outdoors, and experience the beauty of the South Carolina coast. Pets must be leashed at all times. Leave nothing behind but pawprints. Follow the Keep It Pleasant Promise while exploring Palmetto Islands County Park!
Palmetto Islands County Park FAQs
Q: Where is Palmetto Islands County Park located?
A: Palmetto Islands County Park is in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, just a short drive from downtown Charleston. The entrance is off Long Point Road near Horlbeck Creek.
Q: What can you do at Palmetto Islands County Park?
A: Visitors can enjoy walking and biking trails, kayaking on tidal creeks, fishing, picnicking, nature watching, and a water playground for kids. There’s also an observation tower with sweeping Lowcountry views.
Q: Is Palmetto Islands County Park family-friendly?
A: Yes! The park is great for families, offering shaded picnic areas, a kid-friendly water playground, and plenty of easy trails for walking or biking together.
Q: How much does it cost to visit Palmetto Islands County Park?
A: Admission is typically a small per-vehicle fee, and Charleston County residents can purchase a Gold Pass for unlimited entry to all county parks.
Q: Why visit Palmetto Islands County Park near Charleston?
A: It’s one of the best outdoor escapes near Charleston, combining nature, recreation, and relaxation. The park highlights the beauty of South Carolina’s coast and is a top thing to do in Mount Pleasant.
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.
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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Laurel Hill County Park
1400 Highway 41, Mount Pleasant, SC
This beautiful park site features several miles of running, walking, or biking trails that wind through a variety of landscapes. Pets must be leashed at all times. Leave nothing behind but pawprints. Follow the Keep It Pleasant Promise while exploring Laurel Hill County Park!
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