Day Trips From Downtown Charleston: Boone Plantation, Fort Sumpter And More

Charleston is really one of those places that there is something for everyone: history lovers, fashion/shopping fanatics, foodies, something for the kids, and people who are just looking to chill out and go with the flow. While in an upcoming post I will be sharing my highlights from Downtown Charleston and the more notable attractions there, I wanted to share some adventures you can take on the outskirts.

Technically you are still in Charleston as the city has six main districts: Downtown, West Ashley, Johns Island, James Island, Daniel Island, and Cainhoy Peninsula, and Daniel Island. In this lineup, you’ll definitely cover a lot of ground from the Charleston area.

Boone Plantation Hall

Or maybe more likely as you may know it as Allies summer home in the movie The Notebook. It is one of Americas oldest plantations and one of the oldest still working farms. Some of the tours you can see on the plantation are:

• Guided house tour
• Exploring the Gullah culture
• Plantation tractor tour
• Black History In America Exhibit
• The Slave History Presentation
• Garden Tour
• Butterfly Pavillion

The history is vast and the grounds are beautiful so there is plenty to keep you occupied. Also definitely be sure to take a walk (and some photos) on the Avenue of Oaks – that beautiful/iconic driveway. Boone Plantation Hall is located in Mount Pleasant in the central Charleston area. There are also so many other beautiful plantations throughout the Charleston area that you can visit as well.

Angel Oak

Yes, we drove out to Johns Island to see an estimated 400 year old tree. I mean, 400 years is a long time. It is it’s own little part of history, not to mention that it really is beautiful to look at. While we arrived after closing, Angel Oak is part of a park that you can enjoy the day in

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Folly Beach

In the James Island district is a little beach town called Folly Beach. During the summer I am sure it is a really cool area to vacation in with tons of bars and restaurants and shopping areas to visit. Even now in the winter/spring seasons there were definitely large crowds of people.

In my experience: it was one of the most incredible sunsets I have ever seen in my life. The colors were just out of this world and I would recommend making the drive out for that alone. There is also a hotel bar we had a drink at. Charleston is known for their sweet tea and you definitely can’t go wrong with a boozy version of it.

Fort Sumpter

Especially for history buffs, Fort Sumpter cannot be missed when visiting Charleston. The location that ignited the start of the Civil war and also played a part in the American revolution, there is so much to learn when visiting the monument. Old school cannons, real shrapnel and historic brick fortitudes. They also have a fun little lowering the flag ceremony that you can participate in.