"Let’s start big picture. What’s the vibe here? Those of you who remember the romantic rowing scene from The Notebook , or the haunting swamp hideout for Revolutionary hero Francis Marion in Mel Gibson’s The Patriot , have already previewed this singular locale. Hollywood location scouts choose Cypress Gardens for its wildly picturesque blackwater swamp, but also for its well-managed accessibility. Vertical bald cypress and tupelo trees drip with lacy veils of Spanish moss, reflecting perfectly in the mirrored waters. Walking paths and blooming gardens skirt the knobby cypress knees. When the Kittredge family planted azaleas and camellias here a century ago, Mrs. Kittredge crafted her own perfumes using dwarf daphne blossoms. The 170-acre parcel is a 30-mile drive north of Charleston . Admission is only $10 (less for seniors and children), which grants you access to miles of trails, reptile exhibits, and a dreamy butterfly house. Any standout features or must-sees? Most visitors come here to hop in a boat and paddle slowly through the wooded wetlands. For $5, you can let a local guide do the paddling for you as he points out wildlife and historical trivia in a wonderfully thick southern accent. Or you can opt to paddle yourself. Just follow the little white arrows that suggest a route around the vast bog. Don’t worry if your boat bounces off a cypress tree or two (it’s hard to steer clear of them all). Duck as you pass under two walking bridges, and keep your eyes out for seasonal birds, alligators, and turtles who have crawled out to sun themselves. Best of all, there’s no hurry, so if you find a dazzling spot or a beautiful egret to photograph, just pause the boat, drift a little, and take it all in. Was it easy to get around? Before or after you boat, you should walk at least part of the 3.5-miles of trails encircling the water. It’s beautiful any time of year—each month features different fascinations: camellia blooms and bald eagles in winter, azaleas and wild violets in spring, lily pads and booming frog choruses and droning cicadas in summer, rust-colored foliage and screech owls in fall, egrets and otters, and on and on. That’s why so many locals make Cypress Gardens their regular walking spot. Late March and April is a peak time to visit, for blooming dogwoods and tulip trees, frisky hummingbirds, and all the migratory Monarchs fluttering around the “Butterfly House.” Walking paths are smooth and well-maintained, with benches and gazebos here and there, and clear signage to keep you from getting lost. All said and done, what—and who—is this best for? Bring your camera. If possible, go early or late to avoid the crowds and catch the good light. Cypress Gardens is many things to many people, a photographer’s dream, and a romantic place, too (I’ve seen couples giggling as they recreate The Notebook scene, or strolling through the gardens hand in hand). It’s family-friendly, especially for children who want to visit the on-site Swamparium, a small aquarium housing spooky giant catfish and exotic long nose gars, plus well-fed snakes to make you shudder (behind glass, of course). Most of all, it’s for nature lovers who seek the peculiar mystique of a blackwater cypress bog and all that thrives in its ecosystem." - Allston McCrady
