Charleston, South Carolina is widely known for its charming and historic atmosphere. With wonderful food, beautiful beaches, abundant entertainment, and lively culture, Charleston has become a top travel destination in the United States. But as you enjoy all that Charleston has to offer, you won’t want to miss the natural beauty of Charleston’s coastal environment.
At Charleston Carriage Horse Association, we care deeply for all of Charleston’s wildlife, and hope to give visitors to our city the opportunity to experience all aspects of its beauty in a humane way. So we’ve come up with a few places and activities we recommend to any wildlife enthusiast visiting Charleston. From kayaking, to petting sharks, there is so much to explore in Charleston!
The long history of Charleston revolves around water, so incorporating water-related activities into your itinerary is a must! Coastal Expeditions, for example, was voted Charleston’s Best Kayak Company in 2015 because of its guided kayak tours, rentals, and lessons by ACA certified guides. The South Carolina Aquarium is also a wonderful place to view over 5,000 animals – while learning how to protect them! These species include injured turtles in rehabilitation, sharks, stingrays, horseshoe crabs, and more. Sandlapper Water Tours, Aqua Safaris, Barrier Island Eco Tours, Charleston Outdoor Adventures, and Nature Adventures all offer incredible opportunities to experience the best that Charleston’s marine life has to offer. It is not uncommon to see dolphins, beautiful scenery, and other wildlife while on these fun, informative tours.
If you’d prefer not to lose your ‘land legs,’ you can observe endangered birds of prey take flight at the Center for Birds of Prey, or experience the history and enchanting beauty of America’s last large-scale romantic-style garden at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. You can even learn more about the earliest colonial history of Charleston at The Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, and The Caw Caw Interpretive Center.
We are proud of all that our city has to offer, and hope that you enjoy your visit. Whatever your reason for visiting our enchanting city, there’s so much to see and learn in Charleston! Take in the history and views with one of our alternative ways to enjoy the Jewel of the South. Learn how you can take action for a safer, cleaner, more humane visit, here!