Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site

Our toddler loves the animal forest! The animal forest is a great bonus for visiting this historical gem. All of the animals are native (or at one time were native) to South Carolina. The animals are well cared for and cannot be released into the wild. We are lucky to live so close to this wonderful park. Great for a visit when it’s not too hot. Bring a picnic and your bikes to get the full experience!

The zoo is awful (if you justify locking animals for their protection or health, how are these tiny cages still allowed these days?🤦). But the rest of the park is beautiful, and really well maintained, with good historical context.

The last time we visited was about 20 years ago...they have made many improvements! The visitors center is informative and very well done. It is suitable for all ages. When you venture outside, the walk to view the native animals and the site of the original settlement, is a very easy one. They also offer a tram service that goes by every 20 minutes if you find the walk too much. I highly recommend visiting this well maintained, State Park site.

This place is a gem right in the heart of the Charleston area! We visited with two kids and rented bikes so we could explore all of it. They loved the ship and I loved all the gorgeous oak trees. Everyone enjoyed the animal forest. For the price of admission and $8/hr bike rentals this is an amazing way to spend a family day together and learn about our local history!

The grounds were OK. It was a nice nature walk. Feel sorry for the animals there they look so sad and neglected. I’m pretty sure because of this I will not go back. I don’t know which is worse Bee City or here I wish they would put them in better environments that suit them. The poor bear was sitting there by his self, so lonely it broke my heart 💔

One of the best state parks in SC. There is so much to see and do. The loop trail is 2 miles long and visiting the zoo is a mile or so more. Some of the animals at the zoo are hard to see, but most are right near their fence. We have never seen the puma, but have seen the bear even though he stays way at the back. The ship and cabin are also really neat. So much history! Just a a great place for all ages.

Great location for family portraits and exploring. I take my clients here for unbeatable views of live oaks and dreamy Spanish moss.

Beautiful property. The zoo area was pretty cool! Saw giant gators and fish in the ponds. Rideable with a bike, walkable. Wear cozy shoes, there are red ants nesting around so watch out. Such a cool place!

Had a blast. My wife and I walked for almost 4 hours. So much to see and do here. Walking the grounds, reading the signs of what happened here and there, the animal park was nice. Would've gotten to see the entire thing had we rented bikes instead of walking probably. lol. Great time though.

A beautiful place to commute with nature and take a walk or a bike ride. The Animal Forest is a good zoo where you can see a bear, deer, and when you're lucky a puma, in their habitats.

This park covers a large area and it tries to do a bit of everything. In some areas it succeeds more than others, but overall I was happy and wished I could have spent more than the 2.5 hours or so I did. It is a pricey ticket (though cheaper than privately owned historical sites in the area) and for SC residents, a state park pass may be worthwhile. The animal forest was not the greatest part. Some of the animals, like the endangered red wolf, were hiding, which given the daytime heat I do not blame them for doing but realistically means that in a hot place like Charleston for a park only open 10-4, animal visibility is always going to be questionable. A bald eagle with a chronically injured wing did not look thrilled to be there, though I'm guessing it wouldn't last long in the wild. Don't get me wrong, conservation can be a good thing overall, but the visitor experience wasn't the greatest. More impressive was the visitor center museum, which offered a nuanced perspective. Occasionally I will hear people from the south say something like "they never taught us about all that slavery stuff in school", which sounds preposterous to me, but regardless of that South Carolina's park system has committed to a thorough approach to history that conveys the brutality of labor in this area and its centrality to the state's history, while also touching on complex narratives about all the indigenous people and settlers of the area with some well-designed and interactive exhibits. Some outdoor trails meander through historical ruins and contemporary gardens, and views of the marsh are of course an essential part of getting the Charleston experience. It seems like a place that easily could have been turned into a wildly expensive residential district, but I am glad it was not. They did have what looked like a nice event space. Every time I visit Charleston, a place I discovered only because I was looking for somewhere with fresh air during the peak COVID period, I wonder if it will be my last. This probably won't be my last time in the city, but if it is for a while, it offered a picture of what makes the area so captivating.

We spent a few hours exploring Charles Towne Landing before the Super Bowl. Admission is $12 but it's FREE if you have a county pass from your local library! Perfect weather for an enjoyable walk with beautiful marshland views. Animal Forest is great even though the animals are often hiding. Museum in the Visitor Center is very interactive for all ages. The Adventure ship is fun for kids and adults. Really miss the iconic Indian Head that stood there for decades and hope it comes back. Great way to support state parks and will go back again!

I've been to Charles Towne Landing many times as a kid but it had been nearly 15 years I think since my last visit when we went and took advantage of #OptOutsideSC free state park admissions on Black Friday. It was just as great as I remembered! There's a very nice visitors center with a gift shop and museum, and many paved trails that are easily accessible (though beware the tree root bumps everywhere). We started at the museum then went to the animal park, basically a mini-zoo, and despite the cold we got to see many of the animals hanging out. The exhibits are great and they look well cared for and it's mostly local wildlife which is fun to see. We also stopped by the ship the Adventure and enjoyed looking around in there. Unfortunately my toddlers naptime neared and the weather was increasingly cold and wet so our visit ended a little sooner than i would have liked but it was a great visit. Because many trails are paved, I think next time we go we will bring bikes and bike around!

Paved walkways throughout. Pretty walk. $12 per adult. The gift shop had nice merchandise. We bought some stuffed animals and a water bottle. The visitors center is welcoming. History lessons - noted on placards and displays were interesting. The wildlife forest was surprising. We saw the bear, puma, eagle, cattle, deer and others. Taking pictures through glass or acrylic vs chain link would have been nice. This is not a "complaint", just an annotation.

We didn't get to spend as much time here as was needed because our toddlers were ready for nap time, but would love to come back another time we are in the area. My husband enjoyed reading and exploring the little museum in the visitor center. Our children enjoyed going through the animal forest and getting to celebrate the bears birthday that day. Would love to go back and explore the rest one day

I loved everything about it. I just wish it was not so hot when I was there because there's not much covering when I was trying to walk the historic trail. I also wanted to know a type of tree, but nobody who worked there could answer the type of tree that I took a picture of .Overall, I loved it a lot and I made a video about my experience there: Episode 3: Charles Towne Landing Historic District, Walk in N. Charleston Airbnb neighborhood https://youtu.be/hBT4uuizFwk

We bought a membership and regularly go here to get in a nice walk and hopefully see some animals. While the animals are often hiding, we still really enjoy this place. We caught the bear taking a bath which the kids loved. Overall, totally recommend and love this place for a peaceful walk and some fun for the kids (the animals and boat they especially love!).

Great walk. Interesting excavation site looking for of validation of 17th century civil action. Lots to see and explore. About $24 for two out-a-t owners.

I came here out of sheer curiosity! It was a pleasant experience. I saw a few animals but it would've been nice to have a guided tour. Towards the end, I visited a boat and an amazing flower garden. I'd definitely visit again.

We spent a few hours exploring Charles Towne Landing Site earlier this summer (late June '23). We quickly made our way through the grounds as we had limited time to spend. I think we were here about 2 hrs. total. We enjoyed seeing the animal exhibits and taking photos near the avenue of oaks. We wish we had spent a little more time in the exhibit indoors, but we had limited time available for our visit.

Charles Towne: the first English settlement right here in the Lowcountry! Follow the trail to see history tidbits, an animal sanctuary, replicas of houses, and even a ship you can board! At the end of the trail is the Welcome Center that has an exhibit of more artifacts and history. Admission is $12 for adults and they offer discounts for military. You can rent bikes too but found walking the path to be good enough for me! Y'all better bring bug spray - there was a few grassy patches by the Legare-Waring house and thought to myself, "hmm gnats" turns out they were s w a r m s of mosquitoes and the bug spray worked because they bounced away but that was only in a few parts. It was an enjoyable walk with lovely marshland views. Be sure to pack some water too, summer time CHS can get sweltering hot. Great way to support state parks!

This is a beautiful SC State Park located along the Ashley river on the the former plantation of the original Charles Town Colony. The grounds are beautiful to walk around, learn about SC history, explore the boat in the river and visit the zoo. Founders Hall is a beautiful venue for weddings and receptions. It is a gorgeous area to explore! Such a special place to visit and explore. I've been here lots of times and it never gets old. The grounds are beautiful in all four seasons. The gift shop is great too. You can walk or bring your pet or a bike to explore the trails.

It's got alot of history (both good and bad), scenery is exceptional with lots of wildlife (yes there can be snakes, alligators, and whatever else but usually are not around the main trail). Sometimes there are weddings but heard that rent is pricey (as most things are these days). Offers rental bikes and has a zoo aka Animal Forest (closes early at times). Biggest park money maker in the State.

Since I ran the New Year's 5K at Charles Towne Landing this morning, it's fitting to update my review... my first review of 2017! Charles Towne Landing is a beautiful place. Many locals do not know this, but you can run or walk here in the mornings for free. The 5K course used for the races is marked (paint on the ground), or you can run or walk however long you want. Depending on the time of year and what's blooming, it can be very beautiful. I have also been to several weddings and events at Founder's Hall. It's well equipped to hold a large number of people and has a porch as well as a nice "backyard". One wedding I attended here was an outdoor wedding with an indoor reception, and this space was perfect for that. The only downside to Charles Towne Landing is that cell signal inside Founders Hall, and really all over the park, is pretty spotty. So, just go off the grid while you're here and enjoy nature!

We had so much fun here! Love the crowd. We had a blast at this vEnue and would def have our wedding here if we were to gEt married again or renew our vows!

We got lucky finding this treasure! Worth the $10 admission fee. Plenty of parking and a nice size visitor center with a gift shop, ice cream and bike rentals. Clean restrooms too. A few trails to choose from but not lengthy. A cabin had a very knowledgeable gentleman dressed in the era and he was very interesting to listen to. Beautiful trees and an animal exhibit that is open til 4:30. Very family friendly with lawn areas and a couple of swings. Beautiful nature all around. Great place to visit when the weather is nice and you want to be outside. We rented a tandem bike which was fun. There are picnic tables there too.

Probably my favorite state park so far on the Ultimate Outsider Challenge! Plenty of beautiful sights to see along the trails and gorgeous animals to discover in Animal Forest. The Adventure ship is fun for kids and adults and the history Trail is educational and fun.

This was a beautiful place to walk around with the kids and learn some history on our stroll. Enjoyed the little zoo and gobbling at the turkeys produced some pretty funny results.

A beautiful spot to visit in the spring when the flowers and trees are in full bloom. The beauty will literally take your breath away. We went on a class field trip and were able to explore the area. There is plenty to see but make sure you take comfortable walking shoes. There is plenty of history here to read about and they also have an animal sanctuary. There's also an indoor museum area to visit. They do offer free Wi-Fi which is great and make sure that you leave time to visit the gift shop

My family has been here several time, and yesterday we went with my father in law who was visiting from Georgia. He is also a senuor citizen. When we went to pay we were told that the senior discount only applied to South Carolina residents only. What kind of crap is that, a senior citizen should be able to get a discount anywhere IMO! Be a long time before we come back with that attitude.

I've been here a few times and for the most part I have enjoyed my visits. My most recent visit the customer service was less than desirable. We went with our Girl Scout troop and their families. Approximately 50 people, I called ahead to ask about group rates and junior ranger program. When we arrived they acted as if they didn't know we were coming, they didn't have the ranger packets available and we were told to come back for them in a half an hour. After the time we went to get the packets and we're told that we broke the printer with our request and the families would have to share. The park is fantastic, the grounds are beautiful, we enjoyed learning the history of our town and seeing the children inter act with the exhibits was great. Ranger John was great. The children loved listening to his stories, he was engaging and very patient with the children and their questions. When I got home and was looking over the cost of the trip, I realized they did not honor the group rate. We were overcharged by $80. I wasn't very happy! Ranger jason (I believe he was the manager) was very willing to help make it right. He went over the numbers with me and realized that we were indeed overcharged. He refunded the money immediately. This is a great state site to visit, my suggestions stay on top of group and their needs. Make sure to call a few times ahead to confirm all the needs. Finally try to get their closer to opening as they are not as crowded.

This place has definitely changed A LOT since I went on field trips as a child. They removed MOST of the large animals. It has become a place that is much more peaceful as an adult so I do not regret the removal of the animals. They have a section for animals but also many trails that you can stroll on, there are tours during the month of October (this month) the garden is in bloom. We have been a few times but it was August and September and it was unbelievably hot so we decided to return. They have bike rentals, and if you are feeling burnt out you can catch the golf cart ride back to one of the main drop off points. They have historical tours and the employees are dressed to match the era. The views of the river and marsh is nice, and the property is well maintained. Upon entry you walk into a building which has a gift shop, memorabilia, treats such as ice cream and candy with ants in them. There are restrooms located in the building, there are no restrooms once outside. You can bring in a book bag with water and drinks, snacks, etc., and you can bring your well behaved furry member with you. Expect to see lots of large oak trees perfectly aligned, beautifully manicured lawns, colorful gardens, the marsh, waterways with white egrets in the background,and much more which all make it very serene.

The original colony of Charleston. What more can I say. Wait, I can say a lot more. For less than 9.00 dollars and discounts for seniors, children and military, here is what you get!!!! 1. A museum with replica clothes you can wear. 2. A zoo with bison, bear, puma, sea otters and more. 3. Pond with alligators 4. Sculpture art 5. Shipping boat 6. Hiking paths 7. Tons of history 8. Fields to picnic And so much more Families, couples, photographers or wanderers alike will enjoy this experience.

Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site is a great state park and an unique way to experience history and South Carolina. I like all of the features and activities that the park has to offer and there is enough to keep you interested all day. The park is well managed and maintained throughout. I have been coming here from ever since I could remember and have had fun here each time. Charles Towne Landing is awesome.

A great place to come walk, hike, run, explore and learn about our history. Very natural with paved paths and boardwalks by the replica Carolina ship. We saw a couple dolphins coming up the river, as well as a family of raccoons. My kids love coming here and I get the annual state park pass, which allows unlimited entry for the whole carload for the year. The grounds also include ruins from a late 1690's plantation and another one built around the 1840s that is used for events and rentals. You can definitely smell the history here. The museum houses many artifacts and relics from 1670's and earlier. Very interesting and can spend at least an hour just in the museum portion. So, you can see black bear, couger, bison, deer, skunk, otter and red wolves within the animal forest. The red wolves will interact and run and pounce next to you if you run by the enclosure. It's really fun and my kids and I had a great time. And just around the park there are gators in the old ponds, as well as a variety of turtles. An awesome experience that should be had, and is definitely on the top 10 things to see while in Charleston

Our family loves this place. Most tourists seem to gravitate to the plantations, so (shhh) this spot is often not very crowded. It is a great spot to take the kids and let them run around, play on the cannons or the ship, see the animals. There is also a very nice gift shop with some quality items and also some local foods like honey and benne crackers.

Beautiful place to explore on a nice day. Gorgeous views for photos and lots of animals to see.

Charlestown landing is an amazing place to learn about the settlers here. You can board a replica of a very old ship. Take a tour in the animal forest and have a picnic under the row of oak trees.

This is a wonderful gem in Summerville. My husband and I walked through it in a beautiful fall day. The sculptures throughout make the walk very interesting. It's a must see to witness the hundreds of turtles in the pond. Fantastic place to take the family to enjoy the beauty of nature.

A pretty unique site. It's a nice place to spend a morning or afternoon with people of all ages, but be prepared to walk quite a bit if you plan on seeing as much as possible. There's an interesting mix of history, archeology, recreations, and a mini-zoo. That's right, there's a small area dedicated to animals that could be found when the first settlers lived on the site. There is also a small exhibit inside the main hall, a building that can be used for events (Founders Hall), a garden, and the Legare-Waring House. Don't expect an overly exciting day, but enjoy a slow stroll through the grounds while you imagine would life would have been like for the original settlers.

Saw this online before heading to Charleston and thought it might be fun to see. There is a lot of history and very well kept. The admission is $10 for adults this gets you into the park to animals that were around with the first settlers, a replica of an old ship that you can get on and there is a person who kinda of gives you a tour of it. You get to see a site that they are still digging at for old relics, and there's a small museum indoors. The house that is there was off limits when we went because they were having a wedding that night. It was a very interesting place , but someplace I think that I would only go once.

So, I was a little confused at Charles Towne Landing. The visitor center is basically in the middle-ish of the loop, which makes sense. We started out visiting the animals; since they're located at the top of the loop, we had to backtrack to then do the historic loop. Normally I wouldn't really mind, but since I was with small (and easily distracted) children, this was a bit of a pain. We made our way down to the cannons, visited the settler's house (and received a lesson in "presentism" from the employee there) and climbed all over the ship. The kids were knocked out by the time we got back to our cars. It was a beautiful walk, but I think $10/person is a little much if you aren't going to the zoo and just want to walk around the loop.

Charles Towne Landing is quiet place for a romantic stroll, biking or bird watching. There are always coastal birds to see. It has beautiful views of the Ashley River. I dream about building a house there (impossible) and waking up to that view every morning. The place is perfect for events, especially the Waring Legare House. Gorgeous. A bit pricey at $8,000 for a Saturday night in peak season. Parents can host a zoo birthday party here. A park visit is a little expensive for a state park - $10/adult; $6.50/S.C. Senior; $6/youth age 6-15. Iam told they have morning deals but haven't been able to confirm.

This has become my favorite place to get outside in Charleston. As a resident, I purchased the state parks pass and go regularly to walk or jog. The natural area is absolutely beautiful, and the grounds are very well-kept. It's always clean, the paths are all paved, and it's rarely ever crowded. The animal area is good for kids, as is the replica of the ship. Monthly historical Saturdays, where volunteers are in period dress and demonstrate all manner of Colonial and Revolutionary Era tasks, are also fun.

Stopped here with 3 littles and grandpa. Nice shop, but very crowded, especially when people are waiting in line to buy tickets. Lots of people here with bikes, I think they rent them which would be a great way to get around. Tons to see here, from ruins, to the ship, to a small zoo area. Beautiful old house with lots of trees and moss. Very scenic. They also have cool shirts, nice fabric good price.

So yes this is a cool history spot, very beautiful. They put forth a lot of effort to maintain the landscape and natural habitat.However, I'm so disappointed in the way the "rescued" animals are cared for. The goats are in a large dirt area with no greenery within the fenced area, but surrounding them is lush greenery. There are no large rocks for them to jump on (they love doing this) so they all layer in the shaded area of their dirt hime. :( The eagle was the saddest part. Our nations symbol was living in an enclosure smaller than my outdoor patio. It looked sad, depressing and zero stimulation. The eagle was dirty and just stood there. There was a sign that said it was bloody because it keeps messing with wing wound. Ummm fix it, send to a vet or a rehab place. They shouldn't have animals there unless they are committed to care for them and put forth the $$ to give them the best forever home.

I have enjoyed going to Charles Towne Landing for most of my life. Highlights include reenactments, the Adventure (boat), animal forest, visitor's center exhibits, archaeology exhibits, trails, gardens, and oak trees. Most of the outdoor areas (except the animal forest) are dog-friendly. Check out the Race the Landing 5K events that run January-May in the park. Also, the Founders Hall is a great event venue to rent for company parties.

This is as good as it gets for a weekend family getaway. Step back in time at the Charles Towne Landing, the birth place of America and South Carolina. Only minutes from downtown Charleston the park welcomes you to 80 acres of beautiful gardens, moss covered oak trees, marshes, ponds and even a Zoo. Main attraction is the 1.5 miles long self-guided Historic Trail. In addition you can bike, jog, walk with the stroller or the dog and or relax on the many benches in the park. Just watch out for the alligators sunbathing along the ponds! Get a sneak peak with this virtual tour: http://shoutaboutcarolina.com/index.php/2008/04/virtual-historic-trail-tour-at-charles-towne-landing/ Admission: Adult $5, children ages 3-15 $3 and under 3 is FREE. Self-guided audio tour for the historic trail is an extra $5. Interesting things to see: 1. Interactive exhibits at the Visitors Center telling the story of settlement and survival in the 17th century. 2. Replicas of the The Adventure trading ship, cannons, earthen fortifications and early settlements servants quarters. 3. The Legare House and The Horry Plantation ruins 4. The Animal Forest Zoo features bison, puma, bobcats, black bears, elk, otters and native birds. Directions: From I-26, take exit 216A onto Hwy 7 South. Bear left on Hwy 171 and follow signs. The park is open daily 9 AM to 5 PM except on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

My wife had to attend a meeting, so I took the kids here for some outdoor adventure. It was hot out, but there was plenty of shade. We were here for two hours, and easily could've spent more time exploring. We'll definitely be back for more.

Charles Towne Landing is a South Carolina State Park that commemorates the initial settlement of Charleston, SC. It's a beautiful setting and is an interesting place to spend an hour or two sightseeing. It's a little "lite" on actual history and many of the exhibits have plaques indicating that they (the historians and archeologists) haven't found a lot of actual remains of the original colony and that the "reconstructions" reflect what they "think" the dwellings and structures might have looked like. You can spend 1-2 hours on the self-guided tour but need to remember that what you're looking at isn't real history but that it's the historians and archeologists representation of what they think it might have been. The self-guided tour covers some beautiful scenery and leads down to a reconstructed Ketch (ship) that the early settlers would have used plying the coastal waters. The guide (I think he was a park volunteer) at the ship was very knowledgeable and gave an excellent presentation on the construction and uses of these ships. This was actually the highlight of tour. And -- if you don't have the time to do the full 1-2 hour walking tour, the park operates a shuttle that runs from the visitor center directly to the ship and back. The shuttle - even if only used 1-way would allow for a shorter visit and would be useful for anyone with mobility issues. I was not overly impressed with the visitor's center or with the service provided by the 2 park rangers working in the center. I picked up some trash while walking thru the park and then was surprised to find that there were no trash containers in the park. I ended up carrying the trash back to the visitor's center and dropping it there. When I mentioned the lack of trash containers to the ranger - his response was - "there are some out there - you probably just didn't see them". Suggestion -- put out more trash containers and make them more visible and you're have less trash in the park.

My Family & I were looking for a new adventure & decided to try out Charles Towne Landing. Not only is it Dog-Friendly (which I highly appreciate) but there is also a Zoo where you could see everything from Bear to Fox, Otter, Bison, Skunk etc. After that we took a trail to the firing of the Canons. If you plan on visiting this park try to go on a day that this is taking place. I plan on visiting again in March/April to get the full experience of the Gardens. Unfortunately no flowers were in Bloom this time.

Great place to take the kids for an actual visual on history relics. Plan a moment of serenity as you take in the beauty of the magnificent trees and landscape that has survived the powerful hurricanes of yesteryear. One can only stand in awe and revel in the magestic magic.

Most likely one of the most interesting things to do when visiting Charleston. I have learned a lot about history of Charleston. The site is more a park than it is a museum. But it's interesting due to the grounds it rests on. From an animal park, to reconstructed house and even a trading boat, a trip to Charlestowne landing is definitely worth the drive out of downtown. The only reason why I'm not giving 5-stars is because of the confusing signs that can't bring in outside fold but I did miss a food cart or snack stand when walking around

I wasn't expecting much when I first looked into this spot but oh goodness was I wrong! This place is phenomenal! We spent about three hours in the museum portion of the visitors center reading about the original Charleston Colony. We learned so much. We then spent over an hour and a half walking the historic trail -filled with historical placards, historic reconstructions and beautiful landscaping. We then spent another hour in the animal zoo area where we saw native animals. This is a must see for both history buffs, and families with children. Awesome site!!

Friendly and knowledgeable staff, engaging exhibits, a fun small zoo, and all the open space you can care to run in! No wonder my husband loved this place as a kid! Visiting this summer was a blast for both of us. This kind of place is definitely what you make it, so if you like learning and being outdoors, you'll love it.

This is a great budget-friendly place for an in-town day trip! I took some time to go through the exhibit hall in the Visitors Center and learned quite a bit (including why ships track their speed in "knots"!). I took a walk on the History Trail and ventured through the Animal Forest where I saw red wolves, offers, bison, an elderly black bear (up really close), and a bobcat, among others. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and I do recommend bug spray as the gnats were out in force even in the winter. Definitely worth the $10 admission, I wish I had more time to walk more of the grounds.

Awesome day walking thru Charles Town Landing! Beautiful old oaks! Nice garden walks, old historic sites and a cool animal reserve. My favorite was the trade ship and the historian that explained it all to us. Thx for a wonderful time!