Charleston, SC � February 2006 � Charleston, SC, a gem of the coastal community, is known for its beautifully preserved historic mansions and plantations, exceptional cuisine, shopping, beaches and golf. Explore the Charleston Area as a family destination this summer by visiting tried and true historic attractions like Fort Sumter, ante-bellum plantations and Patriots Point Maritime Museum as well as more recent additions like the South Carolina Aquarium and the Children�s Museum of the Lowcountry. With such authentic experiences in American history, culture and nature, its no wonder FamilyFun Magazine readers awarded the Charleston Area as a top city for families to vacation. For packages, events, additional information on attractions or the Charleston area, visit www.charlestonfamilyfun.com and www.charlestoncvb.com.

Angel Oak 
Owned and operated by the City of Charleston Department of Parks. The Angel Oak is a Live Oak tree, estimated to be 1,400 years old. Live oaks are not particularly tall, but have wide spreading canopies. Only in the very oldest of specimens do you find massive limbs resting on the ground, as do the limbs of the Angel Oak. It stands 65ft. high and provides a 17,000 square foot area of shade. Call 843-559-3496.

Audubon Sanctuary at Francis Beidler Forest
The 11,000-acre sanctuary for plant and animal life is located in Four Holes Swamp and contains the largest remaining virgin stand of bald cypress and tupelo trees in the world. A mile-and-one-half boardwalk begins at the Visitor�s Center and sweeps past portions of majestic swamp, where ancient trees, migrating birds, and colorful wildflowers can be observed. Visit www.beidlerforest.com or call 843-462-2150.

Bike the Bridge Rentals
Take an easy ride across North America�s longest cable-stayed bridge on one of their Raleigh 7-speed comfort bikes. Then take time to tour historic Downtown Charleston and Yorktown using their �EZ-Read� maps. Or for a more complete, �Tour At Your Own Pace� they offer MP3 historic guided tours. Group rates available. Call 843-853-2453 or visit www.bikethebridgerentals.com.

Capt. Bo Gator�s Boat Tours
Take a ride on the wild side with Capt. Bo Gator�s Boat Tours. Experience a unique glimpse into the wildlife and history of the Historic Cooper River. Venture deep into the wilds of Lowcountry swamps where you�ll witness alligators, egrets, bald eagles, turtles, and more all in their natural habitats. Guests will learn about various plantations, rice fields and about the Swamp Fox (General Francis Marion) � all while enjoying a scenic boat tour along this historical waterway. Visit www.captbogators.com or call 843-797-5553.

The Carolina Ice Palace
Buckle your laces and hit the ice at the Carolina Ice Palace located in North Charleston. The Palace is one of the largest indoor ice skating facilities in the Southeast and includes a Virtual Reality Arcade. Kids can Save the Earth from alien invaders atop a 100-foot robotic defender using laser-guided weapons across a moon-scape terrain. Visit www.carolinaicepalace.com or call 843-572-2717.

Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site
Take your children on a trip to yesteryear at this state park which is site of the first permanent English settlement in the Carolinas. This 663-acre historic nature preserve offers an animal forest, settlers life area, archaeological dig sites, a reproduction 17th Century sailing vessel, and a natural habitat zoo. Visit www.southcarolinaparks.com or call 843-852-4200.

The Charleston Museum
Children are invited to The Charleston Museum this summer for a chance to see collection items up close and make fun craft projects with Kid Tours. Children and a chaperone will learn fascinating facts about collection items from educators and curators and participate in a craft project or activity. Themes range from prehistoric animals to life during the Civil War. Kid Tours will meet every Wednesday in June and July and the first three weeks of August at 3:30pm. Visit www.charlestonmuseum.org or call 843-722-2996.
Nature Trailers Summer Camp
Enjoy one week of summer camp with The Charleston Museum at the Dill Sanctuary. The Dill Sanctuary is a 580-acre wildlife sanctuary located on James Island along the Stono River. Learn about archaeology, animals, life in a marsh, Native Americans and more.
The Charleston Museum Summer Camp
Enjoy a week of summer camp exploring the collection of The Charleston Museum. Children will travel back in time with crafts and activities as they learn about Ancient Egypt, dinosaurs, colonial Charleston, and more.

Charleston Water Taxi
Ride the Charleston Water Taxi linking Historic Charleston and Mount Pleasant. The new 49-passenger water taxi runs continuously from 9am-7pm with extended hours on the weekends. It departs from the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina servicing Patriots Point, USS Yorktown, and Fort Sumter Tours and departs from the Charleston Maritime Center servicing the Aquarium Wharf and Downtown Charleston. Groups welcome. Call 843-343-1442 or visit www.charlestonwatertaxi.com.

Children�s Museum of the Lowcountry
Explore a shrimp boat, race golf balls, discover castle life, splash in SCE&G�s WaterWise and unleash your creative spirit. The Children�s Museum of the Lowcountry offers hands-on exhibits and environments for children ages 3 months to twelve years and their families. Visit www.explorecml.org or call 843-853-8962.

Cypress Gardens
Cypress gardens is a 170 acre Berkeley County park with beautiful gardens, walking paths, and cypress swamp. Visitors tour the swamp in flat-bottomed boats. The aquarium and butterfly house feature native species. The reptile house contains exotic snakes, turtles and crocodilians. Cypress Gardens is a popular field trip and reception site. Call 843-553-0515 or visit www.cypressgardens.org.

Drayton Hall
Completed in 1742, the historic house stands majestically on a 125-acre site. It is the only plantation house remaining on the Ashley River that survived the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. This kid-friendly attraction put out a special brochure designed for families entitled, �11 Fun Things You Can Do With Your Kids Outside at Drayton Hall.� Admission includes guided tour of the house, self-guided nature walks, and an African-American Focus Program. Call 843-769-2600 or visit www.draytonhall.org.

Fort Moultrie
The first American victory over the British Navy on June 28, 1776, at a palmetto log fort on the shores of Charleston Harbor galvanized the patriot�s cause for independence. The National Park Service interprets 171 years of American seacoast defenses from 1776 to 1947. The Visitor Center houses exhibits on Fort Moultrie�s history and a 20-minute orientation film. Call 843-883-3123 or visit www.nps.gov/fomo.

Fort Sumter National Monument
Fort Sumter is located in Charleston Harbor. America�s most tragic conflict ignited at Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, when a chain reaction of social, economic and political events exploded into civil war. A powerful symbol to both the South and the North, Fort Sumter remains a memorial to all who fought to hold it. The fort may be visited by private boat or by ferry boat. Call 843-883-3123 or visit www.nps.gov/fosu.

Gibbes Museum of Art
2006 Summer Art Camp - experience a summer of fun at the Gibbes. Classes are taught by a team of experienced Gibbes instructors, Museum teachers, and staff members to give each young artist a creative, interactive, and unique experience. This year children of all ages will have the chance to choose from three main themes: �Asian Expressions,� �Natural Wonders,� and �Architecture and Beyond.� Gibbes instructors will adjust the lessons each week based on the children�s skill level so that each child is challenged. Call 843-722-2706 or visit www.gibbesmuseum.org.

IMAX Theatre
From the peaks of Mt. Everest to the depths of the ocean, audiences will experience nature in a BIG way when they visit the new Charleston IMAX Theatre, located adjacent to the new South Carolina Aquarium in historic downtown. Visit www.charlestonimax.com or call 843-725-IMAX.

International Center for Birds of Prey
This unique site houses birds of prey as well as rehabilitates injured or sick birds with 50% going back to the wild. Charleston native, Jim Elliott, started the rehab center in his backyard over 10yrs ago. Now, the Center consists of 80 species of birds and offers private group tours with plans of opening an educational center with falconry within a year. Visit www.internationalbirdsofprey.org or call 843-928-3494.

James Island County Park
A 643-acre park with a variety of recreational opportunities, including crabbing and fishing from floating docks along tidal creeks and lagoons, biking, pedal boats, and picnicking. Splash Zone waterpark open seasonally. 50-foot climbing wall. Call 843-795-PARK or visit www.ccprc.com.

Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon
Built by the British as the Exchange and Customs House in 1771, American Patriots were held prisoner in the Provost during the Revolutionary War. The Old Exchange played a huge role in American history and is one of the three most historically significant buildings of colonial America. Pirate and George Washington scavenger hunts for children are available in gift shop. Call 843-727-2165.

Old Santee Canal State Park
America�s First Canal - the Santee Canal is located in this unique 195 acre park. Four miles of boardwalks and trails allow for the exploration of the natural beauty of Biggin Swamp. Canoes allow an up close view of the canal and the exciting wildlife that call this sanctuary home. Call 843-899-5200 or visit www.oldsanteecanalpark.org.

Palmetto Islands County Park
This 943-acre park offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including crabbing and fishing from floating docks along tidal creeks and lagoons, biking; pedal boating, and picnicking. Splash Island waterpark is open seasonally. Snack bar open year-round. Call 843-884-0832 or visit www.ccprc.com.

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
The imposing 888 foot aircraft carrier Yorktown is the flagship of the Patriots Point battle group. The destroyer, Laffey, the Coast Guard cutter, Ingham, and the submarine, Clamagore, are also on display along with 25 aircraft, Congressional Medal of Honor Museum and Cold War Submarine memorial. Veterans lead guided tours. Visit www.patriotspoint.org or call 843-884-2727.

Pegasus Charters
Take your family on a chartered cruise of the harbor and see historical sites and the city from this unique view. Anchor off of one of many islands and let the kids go swimming or wade ashore for some serious coastal exploring. Spend quality time with your family away from the crowds and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds Charleston. Call 843-276-4203 or email info@pegasuscharters.com.

South Carolina Aquarium
Sea Turtle Summer, runs May 20 � August 20, and will celebrate Sea Turtles all summer long. Our newly designed Sea Turtle Exhibit area and turtle programs will delight visitors and help them learn what they can do to help Sea Turtles survive. New this year, the Aquarium is partnering with the Piccolo Spoleto Festival and will display a collection of animal-created art entitled �Piccolo Pawcasso.� Fireworks will light the sky during the annual July 4th Picnic and kids start an Aquarium adventure when summer camps begin in June. Bug Day takes place on June 3. Guests can learn about bees, watch fly-tying demonstrations, talk to local bug experts and visit the Bug Café. Visit www.scaquarium.org or call 843-720-1990.

Spoleto Festival USA
As part of its 30th Anniversary season, Spoleto Festival USA will present Circus Flora, a one-ring, European-style circus complete with acrobats, live musicians, Russian Cossack riders, clowns, and aerialists from May 25-30, 2006. As a special perk for families, Spoleto Festival USA will partner with the South Carolina Aquarium to offer a �Circus by the Sea� ticket package which includes a general admission ticket to a performance of Circus Flora, as well as a one-day pass to the Aquarium valid until 6/31/06. Visit www.spoletousa.org or call 843-579-3100.

Splash Island and Splash Zone
Tucked inside Palmetto Islands County Park�s 943 acre park, Splash Island offers a thrilling 200 ft. slides, a 16 ft. otter slide, sprays, waterfalls, geysers and the Cyclone�a 10-minute, water ride that swirls visitors around. Call 843-884-0832. Splash Zone at James Island County Park is a well-rounded water playground which offers two 200 ft. tube slides, a 500 ft. lazy river with an adventure channel featuring sprays and a waterfall, a leisure pool and a Caribbean play structure. Next to the Zone, visitors can enjoy a Funyard, Climbing Wall, Hydro Bikes, or Nature Trails. Call 843-795-7275.

Wentworth Mansion
Join Wentworth Mansion and Circa 1886 in celebrating the Fourth in true Southern fashion with savory and tempting delicacies hot off the grill. Circa 1886 will prepare a festive buffet featuring contemporary twists on Southern favorites. After the sumptuous and celebratory feast, head up to the cupola of the historic AAA Five Diamond inn to witness the city�s popular fireworks display that lights the harbor and waterways. Call 843-853-1886 or visit www.WentworthMansion.com.
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To learn more about the Charleston area, please contact the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 843�853�8000 / 800�868�8118, or visit www.charlestoncvb.com.
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