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.
discover adventure
Memories are only a few clicks away. Explore all Mount Pleasant has to offer below.
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.
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.
Kearns Park
Entrance is on Wando Park Blvd. across from gravel parking lot near the Mark Clark Expressway.
Discover the natural beauty of Kearns Park in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina! This park is a peaceful spot perfect for walking, nature watching, and enjoying the outdoors. The charming park features scenic walking trails surrounded by marsh views and native Lowcountry landscapes, offering great views of the Cooper River Bridge and Wando River. It is a quiet escape just minutes from Charleston. Whether you’re looking for a short stroll, a place to relax by the water, or a serene spot to connect with nature, Kearns Park is one of Mount Pleasant’s best parks! Follow the Keep It Pleasant Promise while exploring Kearns Park!
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.
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.
Cooper River Waterfront Path
Nearest: 71 Harry M. Hallman Jr. Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Tucked along the shoreline beside the Cooper River, the Cooper River Waterfront Path is one of Mount Pleasant’s most scenic places to explore. Beginning at the base of the Mount Pleasant Pier at Memorial Waterfront Park, this natural dirt-and-shell trail connects Memorial Waterfront Park to Patriots Point Road. Find the entrance from Memorial Waterfront Park by veering to the left before you enter the Mount Pleasant Pier. You will enter the path and be greeted by a boardwalk taking you over the marsh, with an amazing view from under the Cooper River Bridge.
This path offers social-media-worthy views of the Cooper River Bridge, the USS Yorktown, Downtown Charleston, and the Cooper River as it meets the Charleston Harbor. Leashed pets are welcome, remember to leave nothing behind but pawprints. Follow the Keep It Pleasant Promise while exploring the Cooper River Waterfront Path!
Path length: Approximately 0.8mi one way.
Winnowing Hands Sweetgrass Statue
1164 Oakland Market Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
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.
Mount Pleasant Splash Pad
99 Harry M. Hallman Jr. Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC
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.
The Splash Pad is closed on Tuesdays from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm for routine maintenance to keep it in safe conditions.
Seasonal Hours: Closed for the season starting on October 26, 2025. It will re-open on April 4, 2026.
James B. Edwards Park
20 Royall Ave, Mount Pleasant, SC, USA
An open greenspace that was part of the original 'Town "Common'. Pets must be leashed at all times. Leave nothing behind but pawprints.
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