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.
Charleston Water Taxi
20 Patriots Point Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Travel between Mount Pleasant and historic downtown Charleston aboard the Charleston Water Taxi. The Charleston Water Taxi makes hourly trips to Patriots Point, Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina, downtown Charleston and Aquarium Wharf. You may even see a dolphin or two!
If you're staying in Mount Pleasant: Meet the Water Taxi at the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina, which is located at the end of Patriots Point Road. Follow the signs to the Water Taxi.
Remley’s Point Boat Landing
80 5th Ave., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Remley’s Point Boat Landing is a public boat landing in Mount Pleasant offering convenient access to the Wando River and Charleston Harbor. Located in the Remley’s Point neighborhood near the Ravenel Bridge, the landing is a popular spot for boaters, anglers and visitors looking to get out on the water or enjoy scenic views of the harbor. The landing features paved parking and accessible routes to the launch area and most amenities, making it a useful gateway to Mount Pleasant’s Lowcountry waterways.
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Wayne Magwood Fisherman’s Statue
Shrimp Boat Lane, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
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.
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
Patriots Point Nature Trail
Patriots Point Nature Trail, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 (Entrance across from the Omar Shrine Center)
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!
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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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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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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.
