I don’t know what wild bug possessed us to decide to drive from Virginia to South Carolina, rather than flying, but seven hours in a car makes me a bit bonkers. So, to entertain myself, I began taking note of the exits and sights along…Read More

I don’t know what wild bug possessed us to decide to drive from Virginia to South Carolina, rather than flying, but seven hours in a car makes me a bit bonkers. So, to entertain myself, I began taking note of the exits and sights along Interstate 95 so that other hapless travelers might benefit from my boredom.

Keep in mind that I’ve written this in the southerly direction on I-95, coming from Virginia. So if you had the mind to drive from South Carolina north, everything would be backwards.

I also haven’t written about every exit and every gas station along the way. There are already books for that. I’ve just mentioned the highlights – and lowlights – that I had along my own journey.

Make sure to stop at the first rest area across the North Carolina border, if for no other reason, than to get a picture with the "Welcome to North Carolina" sign. (I have a picture of me with every state sign of every state I’ve visited.) The bathrooms here are immaculate – possibly the nicest I’ve ever seen. There are snack machines, plenty of grass for the pets and benches to just sit on and sip your soda.

Once you get back on the road, you’ll see signs for the Premium Outlets and the J.R. Outlets, though they’re still about an hour away. You’ll find the Premium Outlets at exit 95, featuring stores like Hilfiger, Coach, etc. You’ll also find a good selection of restaurants to chose from – we picked Texas Steakhouse for a good meal (and clean bathrooms – I have a thing about nasty public bathrooms.) The exit just before, exit 97, is where you’ll find the J.R. Outlet, featuring cigarettes for cheap (save money while you kill yourself slowly), and other less-name-brand-y kinds of stores. Pick your poison, I guess.

The next big stop is about 2 or so hours later, when you cross the state line into South Carolina. There, at exit 1, you’ll find the gaudy, neon South of the Border, calling you in like a lure calls a fish. It’s like you lose all brain function when you see the twinkly neon lights that call out "Shopping! Mini Golf! Game Room!" You think you’d be numb to their charms after seeing a billboard every 20 feet announcing that Pedro and his South of the Border were coming up in 100 miles. However, your sense of fun and love of all things gitchy make you stop. Resist the urge if you possibly can. The stores are cheap, the bathrooms are horrible and it’s nothing but a drain to watch your money go down. The gas is even more expensive here, but we’d already stopped, so why not?

Instead, consider locking the doors until you travel a mere two more exits to the South Carolina Visitor’s Center. Here, you can have a photo op with the "Welcome to South Carolina" sign, visit a much nicer South Carolina gift shop and tinkle in a well-maintained bathroom. However, I will note that the bathrooms that are inside the nice visitor’s center are closed after 5 p.m., so you’ll have to make to with the ones around back after dark, which seemed kind of backwards to me.

From there, unless you have a nervous bladder, it should be a straight shot to Charleston. Make sure to cross the suspension bridge – it’s gorgeous!
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If it were not for Sylvia Higginbotham’s guide to mansions, I would have most likely never found this place. But when pursing the guide I ran across information on the abbey. Mepkin Abbey first started life as a rice plantation in 1681. The three thousand…Read More

If it were not for Sylvia Higginbotham’s guide to mansions, I would have most likely never found this place. But when pursing the guide I ran across information on the abbey.

Mepkin Abbey first started life as a rice plantation in 1681. The three thousand acres belonged to Sir John Colleton. He sold the land in 1762 to a French Huguenot, Henry Laurens. Henry would play a major part in the Revolutionary War. After he returned he would go on to own several other plantations, but this would always be his favorite. The plantation survived two fires during war. It was first burned down by the nasty British soldiers and later by the invading Union Army (other wise known as Yankees) during the war of the States.

In 1936 philanthropist Henry Luce and his wife Clare Booth Luce purchased the land. Later they donated a portion of the land to a group of Trappists Monks, but the Luce’s remained here. They were buried on the property.

In 1949 a group of 29 Kentucky monks began the Monastery of the Immaculate Heart of Mary or Our Lady of Mepkin. Today the monks continue to work and share their work at the abbey. They also warmly open their beautiful home and gardens to visitors looking to escape the hassles of the day and just enjoy peace and soldiery in such beautiful surroundings.

Now you do not have to be Catholic (I am Methodist), Christian, or even particularly religious to enjoy this beautiful place. The monks offer daily tours of their home as well as overnight stays and retreats. They do also have special events through the year. While we were here the Festival of the Crèche was going on. The festival is held the weekend before and after Thanksgiving and visitors are treated to a portion of the monk’s extensive collection.

The monks have a collection of about 500 crèches. They have a yearly display of about 40 crèches during the festival and rotate them around every year so repeated visitors have all new crèches the next visit. They also use some crèches donated just for the festival. We arrived at the abbey and were lead by a volunteer to the Clare Boothe Luce Library. This year 42 different crèches were exhibited through the library. The items come from all over the world. Nativities ranged a nativity by disabled artists in Bombolula Kenya, to an unusual nativity from pounded copper out of Vermont, to a beautiful light box made from Venini Glass, and artists sketch, to the final African American set carved our of Linden Wood. You are given a guide book and a voting form to nominate your favorite nativity. Which is easier than it sounds. I can’t tell you how many times I changed my mind. As I went from one intricate and beautiful crèche to the next I was sure each one was my favorite. In the end I went with the very beautiful African American set out of the Linden Wood. And judging by the reaction of my fellow visitors that seemed to be the favorite.

Tour information

You can tour the abbey on your own or take a guided tour. The abbey is open:

Tuesday-Friday 9 to 4:30
Saturday 9-4
Sunday 1-4:30

Guided tours are at 11:30 and 3 and include a tour of the church. The 11:30 tour also includes the noon prayer service. There are no reservations required. You just show up and check in at the gift shop.

Large groups are welcome with advanced notice.

If you are interested in overnight stays, retreats, or sabbaticals then you can see the website for more information.

There is a gift shop on the grounds where you can purchase drinks and snacks as well as items from the abbey as well as a variety of religious articles and items made for the monks. They also have restrooms here. Most of the places I saw including the library are handicapped accessible. Do bring your cameras as photography is allowed outside in their stunning gardens. You also will be told where photography is permitted inside. When myself and several other women started to put our cameras away when we walked inside the library a very pleasant volunteer told us we were very welcome to take photos of the nativity displays.

The abbey is located in Moncks Corner about 30 minuets from Charleston. It is not to far from Cypress Gardens so why not make a day of it?

Website: www.mepkinabbey.org

Resources:
Marvelous Old Mansions and other Southern Treasures Sylvia Higginbotham. 2001. John F. Blair Publishing.


I am certainly glad that I discovered this hidden gem. The grounds of the abbey were so beautiful even in late fall and everyone we encountered were so warm and welcoming. It is well worth the drive to come and take some time out of the busy pace often found on vacations to just reflect in the serenity and beauty of this place. I hope when your in town you will find this place too.

1098 Mepkin Abbey Rd.
Moncks Corner
843-761-8509

Very highly recommended
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This grand Georgian style home was built in 1772 by Daniel Heyward as a wedding present for his son, Thomas. Thomas was a wealthy lawyer who had been called to the English Bar in 1770 and the Carolina Bar the following year. He was a…Read More

This grand Georgian style home was built in 1772 by Daniel Heyward as a wedding present for his son, Thomas. Thomas was a wealthy lawyer who had been called to the English Bar in 1770 and the Carolina Bar the following year. He was a member of the Second Continental Congress and his signature can be seen on the Deceleration of Independence. He was also an officer with the SC Militia and was wounded in 1779 at the Battle of Port Royal. Thomas was subsequently captured by British forces when Charleston was invaded in 1780 and was promptly exiled to St. Augustine. In 1781 he was exchanged and returned to his Charleston home to be with his family. While he was exiled his wife Elizabeth continued to live in the home.

The floor plan of the home is known as the Charleston double house. This consists of square rooms at each corner and a central staircase. The exterior of this home seems stark compared to the other historical mansions It lacks any ornamentation, porticos, or columns. Inside is another matter entirely. The home showcases some of the finest woodwork in the city and some of the best examples of Charleston furniture. It is believed that Thomas engaged the services of Charleston cabinetmaker, Thomas Elfie, to create the intricate wood work displayed throughout the house. The fret work over the mantle in the drawing room shows the fine work that was being done by Charleston artists. There is a settee, chair, and marble-top table that were part of the original furnishings of Drayton Hall and date to about 1740. There are two particular rare finds here. One is the superlative library bookcase which is a Holmes bookcase. The eye-catching Maghoney bookcase stands almost 11 feet high and pretty much takes up the whole wall of the back room. It features inlaid satinwood scrolls and ivory bellflowers.

The second rare piece of furniture is a traveling case. What appears to be a gorgeous chest of drawers is actually the precursor to our modern day matching luggage. The chest would have been broken down and the trunks used for the family when they traveled and then could be stacked back up when not traveling. There are only 2 examples of these drawers left in the country.

The home also has carriage stables with a well underneath. The kitchen building dates from 1740 is the only preserved building of its kind in Charleston. There is also an incredible formal garden in the back. The gardens were established in the 1930’s to reflective life in the 18th centenary. One of the most accurate gardens is the vegetable gardens which have plants and vegetables that would have been used for the household table as well as medicinal purposes.

Now unlike many other mansions with hyphened monikers, the Washington in Heyward-Washington did not come from a second owner. It came from our founding father George Washington himself. He stayed here for a week in April 1791 while touring the south. He was enchanted by the lovely city and the citizens them selves. Something Charlestonians still pride themselves on over 200 years later.

The home was sold in 1794 and in 1803, Judge Grimke purchased the home. He lived here with his wife and sister in-law who were both activate abolitionists. They also helped found the feminist movement in America. In 1840 it was declared that they would be arrested if the ever returned to Charleston. They never did and the house was subsequently sold. The home underwent a series of owners and was used as a bakery and boarding house. The Charleston Museum purchased the home in 1929 and opened it the public as a house museum.

When you first arrive at the home you must ring a bell and wait for someone to answer. You will be let in the home and you will wait for the next tour. In our case the next tour was about ready to start. But if you arrive and the next tour doesn’t go for a few minutes you may wait outside and enjoy the beautiful gardens and out buildings in the back. You do have to take part in the tour in order to see the house. Our guide for the visit was Ellen who certainly was a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the house and Charleston it’s self.

The lovely neighborhood was used by Dubose Hayward for Porgy and Bess . The home was the first historical house museum open to the public. In 1978 it was designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Hours/admission/info :

You can purchase tickets for just the house or combined with the museum and the Joseph Manigault Home.

Admission $10 (a) $16 for 2 attractions $22 for all three attractions.
$5 for children for each attraction. Under 2 free.

Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-5 (last ticket sold at 4:30)
Sunday 1-5 (last ticket sold at 4:30).

Website; www.charlestonmuseum.com.

There is no parking on the property. There are several paid parking lots near the home. There are no public restrooms. A gift shop and restrooms can be found at the Charleston Museum. Tickets can be purchased at either the house or the museum. Due to the nature of the home it is not handicapped accessible and you must be able to climb stairs to enjoy the home. Photography is not permitted inside the home but is welcome outside and in the court yard.

Resources:

South Carolina’s Plantations & Historic Homes by Paul Franklin and Nancy Mikula. 2006. Voyageur Press.

Marvelous Old Mansions and other Southern Treasures Sylvia Higginbotham. 2001. John F. Blair Publishing.

Bob Vila’s Guide tip Historic Homes of the South . 1993. Lintel Press.

The National Geographic Guide to America’s Great Houses Henry Wiencek & Donna Lucey. 1999. National Geographic Society.

The Garden Lover’s Guide to the South . Paul Bennett. 2000. Princeton Press.

While in Charleston you really must take the time out to see this marvelous home. It gives you a glimpse into the lives of Charleston’s elite and its history. And just think you can be in the same place George Washington once laid his head!

87 Church St.
843-722-2996

Very highly recommended
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Joseph Manigault came from a long line of very successful merchant French Huguenots who fled Europe escaping religious persecution. In 1778 he and his brother, Gabriel inherited their grandfather’s (Gabriel Manigault) massive estate that included 40,000 acres and 500 slaves. The brothers were educated in…Read More

Joseph Manigault came from a long line of very successful merchant French Huguenots who fled Europe escaping religious persecution. In 1778 he and his brother, Gabriel inherited their grandfather’s (Gabriel Manigault) massive estate that included 40,000 acres and 500 slaves. The brothers were educated in Geneva and London and Gabriel was an architect. He is credited with the work done on Charleston City Hall and the Society Hall I mentioned earlier.

That same year he would marry Maria Henrietta Middleton, who was the daughter of Author Middleton of Middleton Place. Tragedy she died in 1791. In 1800 he married Charlotte Drayton (of the Drayton family of Drayton Hall). They would go on to have 8 children. He was a member of the state legislature and a trustee of the College of Charleston.

In 1802 Joseph acquired the corner lot on Meeting and John streets where he built his incredible mansion. It was situated within the 79 acres of land which was owned by his uncle, John Wagg. It was called Wraggborough. He had inherited about half of the acreage and purchased the other half from his sister, Anne. The house was built between 1803 and 1807 and was the first home to be built in that neighborhood. The house was designed by his brother Gabriel. Gabriel was influenced by Scottish Architect Robert Adam, who introduced the neoclassical style to British architects. The influence of Adam can be seen though the house.

The house is built in the popular Federal style. The home features two-story portico, curved bays, detailed wood work, high ceilings, an incredible curving central stair case, and high ceilings. There is a mantel frieze that includes the goddess Demeter and the Cupids. Among the elegant furnishings guests can see one of the famed Charleston rice beds. There is a collection of Charleston furniture as well as pieces from France and England. The home has been restored to its original color scheme which is decorated with beautiful and often unusual color palettes.

There is a lovely garden outside and an incredible Temple Gate. In front you can see the areas where the privies, kitchen, slave quarters, and stables once were.

The home stayed in the family until 1852. It went through a number of owners and uses including a boarding house, a USO canteen, a gas station, and a dance hall. In 1920 one of Charleston’s earliest perseveration groups, the Society for the Preservation of Old Dwellings, purchased the home. In 1933 the home was purchased by the Charleston Museum and was open to the public as a house museum in 1949. In 1974 it was designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Hours/admission/info :

You can purchase tickets for just the house or combined with the museum and the Heywood-Washington Home.

Admission $10 (a) $16 for 2 attractions $22 for all three attractions.
$5 for children for each attraction. Under 2 free.

Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-5 (last ticket sold at 4:30)
Sunday 1-5 (last ticket sold at 4:30).

Website; www.charlestonmuseum.com.

There is no parking on the property. The home is near the visitor’s center and there is parking there. There are no public restrooms but the Charleston Museum sits across from the home and they do have public restrooms as well as a gift shop. Tickets can be purchased at either the house or the museum. Due to the nature of the home it is not handicapped accessible and you must be able to climb stairs to enjoy the home. You must be on a guided tour to see the home.

Resources:

South Carolina’s Plantations & Historic Homes by Paul Franklin and Nancy Mikula. 2006. Voyageur Press.

Marvelous Old Mansions and other Southern Treasures Sylvia Higginbotham. 2001. John F. Blair Publishing.

Bob Vila’s Guide tip Historic Homes of the South . 1993. Lintel Press.

The National Geographic Guide to America’s Great Houses Henry Wiencek & Donna Lucey. 1999. National Geographic Society.

The home is a look an inside the grand and opulent lifestyles of the successful low country rice planters. Historic house lovers will love the graceful and elegant furnishings of this centuries old home. In fact you just have to have an appreciation of old homes to enjoy this gem.

350 Meeting St.
843-722-2996

Very highly recommended
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Middleton Place was acquired by Henry Middleton in 1741. Henry was the President of the First Continental Congress and the home saw 4 generations of Middleton family members. There was also Arthur whose name appears on the Deceleration of Independence. There was another Henry who…Read More

Middleton Place was acquired by Henry Middleton in 1741. Henry was the President of the First Continental Congress and the home saw 4 generations of Middleton family members. There was also Arthur whose name appears on the Deceleration of Independence. There was another Henry who was the Governor of SC as well as a mister to Russia. Then there was William who signed the Ordinance of Secession.

When Henry and his wife, Mary, moved here he was one of the wealthiest men in America. And like many men of his stature he wanted his home to reflect such He also wanted a home that would revile the finest estates in Europe. The low-counrty lands that sat on the banks of the Ashley River would provide the ideal place for his home and provide a way to continue to make a living and add to his wealth. This Jacobean style mansion is only half of the grand mansion that you see today.

In 1865 the plantation was deliberately burned by Yankees and the family was forced to flee. Then the home further took a hit during the Great Earthquake of 1886. Today only the southern portion of the home remains. Many of the family’s belongs have remained and can be enjoyed today by visitors to the home. They include portraits by Benjamin West and Thomas Sully, Charleston rice beds, fine silver and rare first editions by Catesby and Audubon.

The stable yards are a favorite with all family members, but wee ones in particular will love this area. They can pet fuzzy sheep, goats, and horses. There are also displays of the farm equipment that would have been used at the time the Middleton family lived here. There are docents through the stables who can answer your questions and explain how the equipment is used. There are also during some events actual demonstrations of how this equipment would have been used by the workers at the time.

One structure that guests will want to visit is Eliza’s House. This small white cabin is right before you come to the barnyard and near the parking lot. The structure, built in 1870 formerly sat where the plantations restaurant is now. The home was occupied by former slaves of the Middleton’s who returned to work after the war as labor. The home was named in honor Eliza Leach, who was the last person to live in the home. Ironically she only died in 1986 at age 94 and had worked for the Middleton family for 40 years and then worked for the foundation distributing brochures and tickets.

Henry also had a passion for gardens and wanted his gardens to reflect what could be seen in English country gardens. One of the most notable and photographed portions of the garden are known as the Butterfly gardens. As you walk up the steps in the back of the house they form two large ponds when viewed from above look like the opened wings of a butterfly. Men once played at bowls here while the women would stroll the gardens in their finest. Today visitors can roam the 60 acres of this lush garden and marvel at Camilla bushes which are still open in the colder months, boxwoods, benches to catch your breath or sit and reflect, statues, and in the spring the azalea bushes bring color to the gardens. There is a long reflecting pool which now is home to many ducks, swans, and turtles. There is a maze of interconnecting paths that bring surprises to guests at every corner. There are many places to catch glimpses of the Ashley River or just sit down and ponder a few minutes under the expansive tress that have been here as long as the house has been here. The gardens remain the oldest landscaped gardens in America. They also made it in the recently released book 1001 Gardens You Must See Before You Die (Rae Spencer-Jones. Barros Publishing 2007), which puts them in the same company as Butchart Gardens in British Columbia, Villa d’Este in Lazio Italy, Versailles in France and Monet’s Gardens at Giverny.

In the 1920’s, one of the descendants of the Middleton’s, John Pringle Smith, inherited the property and sat about to restore the home to the former glory. Sometime in the 1930’s he opened the gardens up to the public and by 1975 the home was open for tours and there was the newly formed Middleton Place Foundation which oversees the running of the home. In 1941 the Garden Club of America honored the gardens with its Buckley Medal for "200 years of enduring beauty". In 1991 the International Committee on Monuments & Sites (ICOMOS) named it is only one of 6 US gardens of International Importance. The home is designated as a National Historical Landmark. The house was also highlighted in the 2000 movie The Patriot starring Mel Gibson. It was used for the exterior of Lord Cornwallis’ mansion.

Today guests can spend hours here touring the massive grounds and gardens. There are perfectly manicured flower gardens, statues, ponds, ruins, a slave cemetery, and the tomb of Arthur Middleton. And if that isn’t enough you can even eat here and spend the night.

The Inn at Middleton offers guest 53 rustic and inviting rooms over looking the Ashley River and are on the grounds of the plantation. For the outdoor fan try one of the horse trail rides at the Equestrian Center. They also offer biking, hiking, and kayaking. There is a restaurant on the premises that offers both lunch and dinner. The dining room overlooks the incredible Old Mill Pond. They also hold larger buffets at certain times of the year such as Thanksgiving. Unfortunately if someone ever comes up with 1001 Buffets to Try before You Die, they won’t make it in that book. This is also a spectacular place to hold your wedding, meeting, or another special occasion you have.

The house does have a gift shop, museum shop, and there is a garden shop and nursery in case you want to bring some of their gardens to your garden. They do have restrooms on the premises and vending machines to get Cokes or water. The grounds are handicapped accessible but the house its self has limited accessibility.

Hours/admissions/info

Admission:

$25 (a) $5 (c) Under 6 free.

Guided house tour $10

45 minute carriage ride $15

All day package including carriage ride and house tour $45 (a) $30 (c)

The home opens at 9 am daily and closing hours are seasonal.

They do have a number of events through the year including specials at Eater, Christmas, and Thanksgiving, they have a huge garden festival in October, and they do have special events in connection with the Spoleto Festival in June. Do allow several hours here. Photos are not allowed inside the house but are allowed (and encouraged) outdoors.

Website: www.middletonplace.org.

Resources:

South Carolina’s Plantations & Historic Homes by Paul Franklin and Nancy Mikula. 2006. Voyageur Press.

Marvelous Old Mansions and other Southern Treasures Sylvia Higginbotham. 2001. John F. Blair Publishing.

Bob Vila’s Guide To Historic Homes of the South . 1993. Lintel Press.

The Garden Lover’s Guide to the South . Paul Bennett. 2000. Princeton Press.

1001 Gardens You Must See Before You Die . Rae Spencer-Jones.2007 Barros Publishing.

There is surely something for every member of your party at this grand and glorious mansion. So take the time to come and find out for your self what 250 years has preserved.

4300 Ahley River Rd.
843-556-6020
800-782-3608

Very highly recommended
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In 2000 the incredible movie The Patriot staring Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, and Jason Isaacs was filmed all over SC including a large part of Charleston. Since Mel has recently fallen out of favor with the public, I decided to name this after…Read More

In 2000 the incredible movie The Patriot staring Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, and Jason Isaacs was filmed all over SC including a large part of Charleston. Since Mel has recently fallen out of favor with the public, I decided to name this after the very gorgeous actor Jason Isaacs . Jason portrayed the dubious Col. William Tavington in the movie. But movie viewers also know him as the deliciously evil, Luscious Lucious Malfoy (ok I added the Luscious part) in the Harry Potter films. So while in Charleston try to see how many of these spots used in the movie you can find.

1. Tradd Street . Tradd Streets comes off of Meeting St. near the Market area. This cobbled stone street looks much like it did centuries ago when Charleston was a new city. The cobble stones make you feel like you have walk into a period piece movie which is why I am sure the crew of the movie decided to use it. The street serves at Charleston Harbor Street in the movie.

2. The John Poyas House . This Federal Style home was built in 1796 for Dr. John Poyas and his wife Rachel. Rachel’s father had purchased the lot prior in 1730. But upon his death it passed to his daughter and son in law. The home is a single home design and is three and a half stores and sits on a basement. The exterior features stuccoed brick. The usual elements of the house feature its height and the fact it has north facing windows. The home stayed in the family until 1837 when it was purchased by Moses Mordecai. And should you like it to be in your family I did notice the for sale sign when I was in town. In fact that is how I found out defiantly that this was the correct house. When I was in Charleston in the spring the house number was missing. The house served as Charlotte’s Charleston House in the movie. The house is privately owned and can only be seen from the streets. It sits at 69 Meeting Street. But who knows, maybe when someone buys they house they will open it up for the annual tour of homes. One more good reason to attend the yearly event.

3. So if you are standing across the street taking pictures of the John Poyas , then you are most likely standing on front of the grand South Carolina Society Hall. The 2 story Adamesque building was built by local architect, Gabriel Maniqault, who introduced the Adamesque style to the city after studying in Europe. Like the Poyas house, the building is built over a basement. In 1825 the portico which features Doric and Ionic columns was added by another local architect, Frederick Wesher. He also added the grand brownstone stairs and railings you see today. The society began mainly for French Huguenot’s who were by now local business men. The society still is in existence and still owns the building. The building is not open to the public but it can be rented out for special occasions and meetings. The building is located at 72 Meeting Street and can be viewed from the street. In The Patriot the building was used for the effigy burning.

4. If you are strolling the grounds of the spacious Middleton Place thinking you know you have seen this place before. Well if you have seen the movie, then you have. The plantation served as Lord Cornwallis’ mansion. Cornwallis was played by British actor, Tom Wilkinson, who you may also remember from Michael Clayton or as the sleazy Falcone in Batman Begins . The plantation was built in 1741 by Henry Middleton, who was the President of the First Continental Congress. Its expansive gardens are the oldest landscaped gardens in the country. The grounds and the home are open to the public and can be toured after purchasing your admission ticket. The stunning mansion sits on the Ashley River making it a marvelous place to visit or hold your next big celebration.

5. Another place that may emit feelings of deja vu is the swamp at Cypress Gardens . The hauntingly beautiful blackwater swamps of the garden filled in as the swamp sequences at Snow Island in the movie. Cypress Gardens were once part of the vast plantation of Dean Hall, which was one of the most successful rice plantations in the area. The plantation it’s self has been moved and reassembled to Beauford SC. But the gardens of the plantation remained and were opened to the public. Today you can enjoy the beautiful gardens and included in your admission price is a boat ride around the backwater swamp. You can either paddle your self or let one of the experts take you on a very memorable trip. While most of the props from the movie such as the ruins of the Spanish missionary were torn down and removed, there is an arched bridge near the start of the tour which looks like it has probably been here since Dean Hall stood, but it was designed for the movie and left behind as a gift for guests to the garden to enjoy.

There are two other locations that I haven’t been to yet. They are:

1. The College of Charleston’s Randolph and Alumni Hall were used in the movie for the Assembly Hall where the townspeople first gathered at the beginning of the movie. The grounds of the college are open to the public to tour so you can see these two buildings if you decide to come stroll the grounds of this beautiful college.
2. Dixie Plantation . The home was built in 1683 for Benjamin Blake. The home is now under the tutelage of the college as well but is not open to the public and is not located on the grounds of the college. It is located in nearby Hollywood and is found on SC 162 on Dixie Plantation Rd. The mansion can be seen in the movie however as Camden Mansion and Oak Alley. If you’re really interested in seeing the plantation you may want to inquire with the school if they ever have the home open for tours.


As I stated before Charleston is like someone opened up the pages of a history book and allowed you to walk in. So no wonder with all if its beauty and history, that this city is so popular with filmmakers. And especially when you have a period film like The Patriot you simply don’t need much in the way of sets. Charleston is a movie set brought to life. So next time your in Charleston walk around and see all the places featured in the movie and then go home and watch it and see how well the crew did with bringing history to life in this most historical of cities.
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Moncks Corner Moncks Corner may be small with only about 6000 residents, but visitors to this quaint town will find all the comforts of a bigger city. Monks Corner is about 30 minutes from Charleston. Again there is plenty of lodging and dining to…Read More

Moncks Corner

Moncks Corner may be small with only about 6000 residents, but visitors to this quaint town will find all the comforts of a bigger city. Monks Corner is about 30 minutes from Charleston. Again there is plenty of lodging and dining to be found. If you’re brave enough you could try spending the night at the Rice Hope Plantation (www.ricehope.com). This elegant 1840 plantation home is now a scrumptious B&B with one guest who just doesn’t want to go away. The ghost and the plantation were featured on the History Channels Haunted History .

While here spend the day at the peaceful Mepkin Abbey (www.mepkinabbey.org). This once successful plantation is now home to an order of Trappist Monks who open their gracious home to those who seek solitude. Cypress Gardens (www.cypressgardens.info) has over 80 acres of lush gardens, a butterfly house, aquarium, reptile house, and the gorgeous blackwater swamp featured in the Mel Gibson movie The Patriot . Highway 402 that runs from Mt. Pleasant to Moncks Corner must have once been home to some of the richest folks around. As we were going down the road we saw sign after sign for plantation houses. You could see the long, expansive, driveways from the road but not the homes them selves. And I would assume those homes are private residences. You will also find the Francis Marion National Forest and the Old Santee Canal Park. For more information on Monck’s Corner go to www.sciway.net.

Summerville

Known as the Gateway to Charleston , Summerville is considered a suburb of the historical city. You can rest up with one of the many well know hotel chains or stay in the grand and darling historical homes that have been converted into a B&B. One of my favorites, Sticky Fingers, has a restaurant here. If BBQ ain’t your thing then try the other dining options found around town. Shopping runs the gamut from antiques to unique clothing shops. All just waiting for you to discover them.

The 1738 Drayton Hall (www.draytonhall.org) reigns as America’s oldest preserved plantation and is open to the public for tour. Marvel at the breathtaking Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Middleton Place (www.middleplace.org) is the 18th century home who gardens are so spectacular that they have been described as one of the 1001 gardens to see before you die. All 3 plantation homes are open to the public and lie with in a few minutes drive of each other. For another incredible outdoor delight try the Azalea Park and it’s sculpture gardens (www.sclptureinthesouth.com.). There are also a number of parks and historical sites all only about 20 minutes from Charleston. Log on to www.visitsummerville.com to find out more.

In addition to the above places here are several other options for lodging:

Camping

Neighboring James Island offers a campground including RV and tent sites as well as 10 vacation cottages for families. Just go to www.ccprc.com for reservations

KOA has two campgrounds near Charleston. They are located in Mt. Pleasant and Landon. Both have tent and RV sites as well as the cottages. Go to www.koa.com for more information.

Also if you are someone in your travel group is currently or retired from the military, you can get a room at the Inns of Charleston on the Charleston AFB. They offer hotel rooms and houses for as little as $35 a night for a house. The only problem is you can only reserve these 7 days in advanced. But base personal can reserve these for business or families at anytime. So chances are over the summer, holidays, or when a major event is in town, you won’t get a room. That is what happened with us this year. My whole family planned on going since my dad is retired from the Air Force but when we called the houses were all rented out and left us scrambling for a last minute reservation and the restClose

Let’s just face it, finding affordable lodging in the Charleston area can be a very daunting task. You may very well pay a king’s ransom for the privilege of staying in this gracious southern town. And the better the view the harder the hit to…Read More

Let’s just face it, finding affordable lodging in the Charleston area can be a very daunting task. You may very well pay a king’s ransom for the privilege of staying in this gracious southern town. And the better the view the harder the hit to your wallet.

So when looking for budget friendly accommodations why not look at Charleston’s lovely neighbors? Mt. Pleasant, James Island, Folly Beach, Monk’s Conner, and Goose Creek are just a few of the smaller towns that lie within 30 minutes of Charleston. All offering a place to lay your head, shopping, dining, and maybe a surprise or two. For complete information on all the cities in the area go to the official SC Visitors website at www.discoversouthcarolina.com.

Here are the towns that I have tried and recommend:

Mt. Pleasant

Just over the Cooper River Bridge you will find the charming town of Mt. Pleasant and my base camp when visiting the city. About 60,000 people call this place home and gladly welcome visitors to stop and stay awhile. Here you will find plenty of places to sleep from budget hotels to upscale luxury to charming B&B’s. And your less than 10 minutes from the historical district of Charleston.

As you cross the river and come into town you can stay straight which leads down Highway 17 or Johnnie Dodd Blvd. If you bear to the right that will take you down Business 17. Both roads are filled with hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, banks, movies, grocery stores, and anything else you might need while you’re in town. Dining options range from fast food, chain and regional spots, to local tastes. On Business 17 you will find the Shem Creek area which offers plenty of restaurants with a view.

Some of Charleston’s best known attractions are actually located here. Built in 1743 for Major John Boone, Boone Hall is open to the public to tour and was even featured in the TV movies Queenie and the North and the South (www.boonehallplantation.com). Military and boat enthusiast will enjoy the Patriot Points area which includes the massive WW2 aircraft carrier, The USS Yorktown (www.patriotspoint.org). You can visit the home of the author and signer of the Deceleration of Independence, Charles Pickney, at Snee Farm (www.nps.gov). There are 4 golf courses and the Palmetto Island County Park. Mt. Pleasant is also the only way to gain access to the barrier islands of Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island. Sullivan’s Island is home to the Charleston Lighthouse (www.lighthousedepot.com). While it can not be climbed you can easily view it from the road or beach.

For more information on Mt. Pleasant please go to www.townofmountpleasant.com.

Folly Beach

About 15 minutes from Charleston you will discover a treasure on the Island of Folly Beach. Growing up in this area I spent many a happy moments playing on the sands here. Visitors to this tiny inlet with find a wealth of amities. Lodging from chain hotels, to small cottages, to grand beach houses are in abundance. Great food can be found all over the place especially low country cuisine and some of the freshest seafood in town. Shoppers can find themselves in charge card heaven with small and fanciful boutiques to places to gather souvenirs for all the folks back home.

Since this is an island it is paradise for the outdoor enthusiast. You can simply play in the sand, fish, try parasailing, surf, or try kayaking. There is an adventure just waiting to happen. Folly Beach is also home to one of the oldest lighthouses in the country Morris Island Lighthouse . It was built in 1876 but abandoned in 1949 and stands just off the beach. Visitors can view and photograph the beach or if you’re into kayaking then you can go to www.seakayaksc.com for information on trips to the lighthouse. The lighthouse often serves as a backdrop for celebrations in Charleston including Spolato. TheClose

About 30 minutes outside of Charleston sits the incredible Cypress Gardens. It is a wonderful place to bring the family and spend the day. Even in colder months after the beauty of the blooms have left, you will find some pretty amazing things here. Cypress…Read More

About 30 minutes outside of Charleston sits the incredible Cypress Gardens. It is a wonderful place to bring the family and spend the day. Even in colder months after the beauty of the blooms have left, you will find some pretty amazing things here.

Cypress Gardens had a former life as the rice fields of the prosperous Dean Hall Plantation. Deal Hall was built in 1725 for Alexander Nisabett. In 1909 Benjamin Rufus Kittredge purchased the property and in 1932 opened the gardens to the public. In 1963 he sold the gardens to the city of Charleston for $1. In the early 1990’s Berkeley County took over running the gardens and continue today. In 1971 the plantation home was dismantled and moved to Beaufort SC where it was reassembled and is now a private home.

The gardens sit on 80 acres and feature a butterfly house, aquarium, crocodile isle and more than 4.5 miles of trails and paths. The gardens explode with native flowers, azaleas, dogwoods, daffodils, wisteria, and cypress tress. There is a boat trail that leads you through the reflecting waters of black water swamp. All included in the price of admission.

As you walk through the gates you are greeted by a beautiful garden full of trees, flowers, and sculptures. After paying our admission we headed to the Butterfly House. This 2500 square foot enclosed house was opened in 1997 and was the first year round butterfly house in SC. Here hundreds of butterflies flit and flutter in and amongst the beautiful plants that have been placed here to attract the butterflies. There is a small pond and plenty of places for these winged beauties to rest while you enjoy their beauty or so you can grab an incredible photograph. There are also turtles and birds inside. You can also find caterpillars that will someday turn into one of these beauties. This place is kept a comfortable temperature so in the cooler months like when we were here it is a welcome respite for the temps outside. This place is truly remarkable and I could have spent hours here.

On past the butterfly house you will run into the aquarium, bird aviary, and reptile center. There are 4 birds that rotate on display in the aviary. As we walked around the outdoor pens we noticed it was to cold for most of the reptiles and decided to go into the aquarium. The aquarium was added in 1998 and contains 24,000 gallons of fresh water. There are 30 varieties of fish and 17 species of reptiles and amphibians. Here visitors can spot bass, bluegill, crappie, long nose gar, bowfin, an 80 lb. Arkansas blue catfish, and an endangered short nose sturgeon. You can also find my favorite cheap souvenir here..the squashed penny. So make sure you bring 51 cents for the machine.

Most of the animals had been moved inside the reptile center and could be found lounging under the heat lamps. This building was added in 2001 and features over 35 species of turtles, crocks, and snakes. There are the magnificent Galapagos turtles residing here and the snakes include the massive anacondas and pythons. Leaving you with visions of the first Harry Potter films where the snake escaped. Though no chance of that happening here as they are safely behind very thick Plexiglas. Thankgoodness.

As you wind down the gardens paths make time to stop and explore Crocodile Island. They currently have 6 species on display including the Tomistoma, Siamese, Morelets, African Dwarf, Nile and Saltwater. Most of which are endangered.

Eventually you can find yourself at the blackwater swamp. Here you can take the trail that makes it was around the swamp or take a boat tour. You can take one of the guided boat tours or simply hop in and paddle around on your own like I did. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to see one of the swamps resident otters or an alligator basking in sun. As you start the trail you will see a beautiful arched bridge. This was where parts of the Mel Gibson movie The Patriot was filmed. The Close

On the day we left Charleston it was gray skies, cold and windy…the perfect day to be indoors enjoying the underwater world of the SC Aquarium. Since May of 2000, millions of people have visited the 90,000 square foot aquarium making it the number one…Read More

On the day we left Charleston it was gray skies, cold and windy…the perfect day to be indoors enjoying the underwater world of the SC Aquarium.

Since May of 2000, millions of people have visited the 90,000 square foot aquarium making it the number one attraction in Charleston. There are 60 exhibits that feature five major areas. There are over 10,000 creatures and plants that now reside here. The largest exhibit is the 385,000 gallon Great Ocean Tank that covers 3 stories. The building is located on the Cooper River and offers visitors amazing views of the river and the nearby Cooper River Bridge.

You arrive at the incredible building and purchase your tickets. You proceeded up the walkway where you will be stopped to pose in front of a blue box. Later you can purchases your picture where by now you have magically appeared surrounded by fish. You walk on around and will find yourself with some of the best views in town of the river. There are several delightful sculptures outside and places to sit and enjoy the lovely scene that has been set before you.

You enter on the bottom level and there is a large tank filled with fish and moray eels. For $1 you can go to a machine which gives you a diver’s view of the fish from a submersible. Go on around to the back and you will see plenty of people surrounding the touch tank. This is a hit with big and little kids and the kid at heart as you can touch crabs sea urchins, star fish, and other sea creatures. There is an employee who talks about the wonderful creatures you will encounter here and can answer any questions you may have.

Go on next door and you are greeted by a beautiful parrot and macaw. Inside you can experience life in a rainforest. There is a large take filled with fish native to the rainforest including the deadly piranhas. You can also marvel at an anteater, snakes, 4 eyed fish, lizards, poison dart frogs, and warning there are spiders. These should have a big sign over them for those of us who are deathly afraid of them since I didn’t see what is in there until it was to late and startled quite a few people with my blood curdling scream.

Venture on upstairs and you will find the Piedmont area. There is an open area with fish and turtles found in the piedmont of SC. Fish here include warpaint shiner, robust red horse, greater siren, and turtles. There is also a wonderful collection of magaladon sharks teeth. Just past that explore the mountains of the Carolinas in an exhibit called the Mountain Forest. Here you can see mountain trout and enjoy the adorable otters that swim and play in the waters of their new homes. The coastal plain focuses on the coastal waters and byways of SC. Marvel at several alligators, turtles, and even a corn snake. There is also plenty of lush plant life including the Venus flytrap.

At the coastal exhibit see a school of flounder, marvel at the beauty of the loggerhead turtles, as well as octopus and seahorses. One of my favorites was the salt marsh aviary. This exhibit is enclosed by wire allowing the air from the river and the sounds to permeate this experience. Watch as burrfish swim past. Look up in the trees and see if you can spot the barreled owl or the blue heron or any of the other birds now making this their home. There are also fiddler crabs in the tanks. There is also a walkway around the second floor that again allows visitors views of the river. But on this day it was closed.

The main focus here though is the Great Ocean tank which can be viewed either on the first or second level of the building. This massive 385,000 gallon tanks includes dozens of types of fish, sharks, rays, and eels. The majestic rays glide around the tank, fish swim and duck into coves, and the sharks tend to strike fear in visitors. But these are only the smaller sand tiger sharks which are harmless and the type of shark you would likely encounter on a shark dive in the Caribbean. There iClose