Area Attractions

Cypress Gardens

You don’t have to travel far to experience the beauty and adventure of Berkeley County, South Carolina’s own Cypress Gardens! Beautiful Cypress Gardens has been a preferred group and family destination since 1931. Visitors from all over the country come to experience this unique and exciting attraction, which has been featured in numerous national magazines and popular television shows and motion pictures including The Notebook and The Patriot.

Old Santee Canal State

This 195-acre park commemorates the area's rich history and habitat. Among its attractions are the Stony Landing House, built in 1843, and four miles of boardwalks that meander through the quiet backwaters of Biggin Creek and its surrounding swamp. The park's centerpiece is its Interpretive Center that chronicles the area's history as far back as 4000 B.C.

Beyond its historical offerings, the park has become a popular destination for bird watchers, hikers, paddlers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

MePkin Abbey

Mepkin Abbey is a community of Roman Catholic monks established in 1949 on the site of the historic Mepkin Plantation located on the Cooper River, north of Charleston, South Carolina. Founded by the monks of Gethsemani in Kentucky, the brothers of Mepkin belong to the worldwide Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance popularly known as Trappist. Following The Rule of St. Benedict, the monks at Mepkin Abbey devote their lives to prayer, spiritual study, work and hospitality.

Lake Marion & Lake Mountrie

Lake Marion together with Lake Moultrie form what is known as the Santee Cooper Lakes.  These lakes are connected by a canal called the Diversion Canal.  Lake Marion is the larger of the two lakes covering 110,000 acres, and Lake Moultrie covers 60,000 acres.   Both lakes are located in the lower part of the state near Charleston South Carolina.

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

Welcome to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Magnolia has been selected as one of "America's Most Beautiful Gardens" (Travel + Leisure Magazine), and is the only garden honored with this distinction in the State of South Carolina!