40 Best Stops Between Weston and Tallahassee (2025)

9 lists

This bridge is incredible. The architectural design, the man power of the steel workers, and the awe inspiring views from every angle all make this a must see. Every year it is host to an exhilarating bridge bungee jumping experience that we hope to be able to participate in the near future. The surrounding area and national park is breathtaking and filled with rock climbers from near & far to climb the many rock faces available. Even the local rest area for the park is a must visit that is educational and truly rather impressive. Loads of fun at every turn.

The New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia is a marvel that makes the long drive absolutely worthwhile. The view of this iconic steel arch bridge, one of the longest and highest globally, is simply breathtaking as it spans the river gorge. Planning a visit to this park is highly recommended for anyone seeking awe-inspiring sights and a sense of grandeur. The bridge's sheer scale against the backdrop of the gorge is a sight to behold. The park allows visitors to tailor their experience based on personal interests, making it an ideal destination for both engineering enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Exploring New River Gorge was a fantastic experience! We drove around the bridge and checked out all the viewpoints, each offering a unique and stunning angle of the gorge and bridge. A delightful detour even led us to a little turtle on the road, basking in the sunshine. Truly a memorable trip!

Drove 11hrs to see this bridge. Well worth it. Spent 1hr on the scenic trail looking at the bridge. Highly recommend the Fayette station road. Most of it is only one way, and has switch backs. Many Beautifle waterfalls right along the road.

The whole park area is beautiful. There are many hiking trails of all experience levels. Driving to the bottom and up the other side is a must, the scenery at the bottom is beautiful as well. There is parking at the bottom and kayak launch and landing areas.The visitor center has a small museum that gives information about early life of the New River Gorge coal miners and loggers, as well as how the gorge was formed.

Wow!!! It’s a beautiful bridge. I love how well it fits into the adjacent landscape and it actually adds to the overall ambience instead of taking away from it. When driving the bridge, it's interesting that their is no elevation change upon it's approach and the drop-off can come suddenly if your not expecting it. From the ground and this viewpoint, you get a sense of just how well engineered and thought through the design was. I think this is an absolute gem of engineering that doesn't get talked about enough with some other bridges in the country. Well worth a visit for a few days.

Oh my gosh, where to even start. The New is one of my absolute favorite places in the world to visit.It is so amazing and beautiful. The view of the bridge is incredible, I just love driving over it. So many great hiking trials, amazing people left and right, delicious, local food all over and great campgrounds. I love it there so much.Big hot spot for rock climbing, hiking and white water rafting.

I was driving past the area anyway and decided to stop. I'm glad I did. This is a very nice park. The welcome center is impressive, as are the grounds and walkway to see the bridge. There is plenty of parking as well. The bridge itself is hard to believe if you aren't seeing it in person. Pictures really don't do it justice, kind of like my experience at Hoover Dam. I recommend stopping here if you are in the area or make it part of your travel plans.

We made a last minute trip to the New River Gorge Bridge and let me tell you, it was breathtaking. There is an educational visitor's center and a cozy little gift store with so many different things. There's also an ice cream/fudge shop! The first part of the walk/view can be accessed with a wheelchair but if you go farther down to the best viewing spot there are quite a bit of stairs. All in all it's a must see if you live in WV or are just visiting/ driving through.

It’s our first trip to this amazing and beautiful park!!! This bridge is incredible. The bridge is a continuous-span, open-spandrel, arch truss bridge constructed of steel. The overall length of the bridge is 3,030 feet, 6 inches (measured from center-to-center of end bearings) and the arch, the longest steel arch in the United States2 , measures 1,700 feet. The width of the bridge is 73 feet 5 inches to the outside of the parapet walls. In total, the massive structure weighs in at 88 million pounds including 21,000 tons of structural steel, 1,700 tons of reinforcing steel, 17,000 cubic yards of substructure concrete, and 6,000 cubic yards of superstructure concrete. The architectural design, the man power of the steel workers, and the inspiring views from every angle and every turn all make this a must see. No matter on the top of mountain or the deepest base of the river, You must stop every over overlook point to get breathtaking views! The driving of mountain skills is the most important part of the journey!!!

The iconic symbol of the newest National Park: New River Gorge. This marvel is on the West Virginia state quarter. The bridge is breathtaking considering its place in the Eastern United States. The visitor center parking lot is about a quarter mile away. They have a trail that leads to an overlook of the bridge but if you continue down the road there are opportunities to get on the river level. Kayaking and river rafting opportunities are abound. If you are feeling bold there is a walkway that is especially challenging for anyone with a fear of heights.

I love bridges! The New River Gorge Bridge is magnificent, standing 876 feet above the New River, making it one of the highest vehicular bridges in the world. Completed in 1977, it is the third highest in the United States and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.No, you can't walk across the bridge during normal days but they do close it once a year for crazy people to climb and jump and such. And there are plenty of spots in the park nearby where you can get some amazing photos.The park is open until sunset, though the ranger office and visitor center close at 5pm. There is no overnight parking in the lot.

One of the newer National Parks with areas to view the New River Gorge Bridge. Structure of the bridge can be seen from lower roads. Rivers and scenery are beautiful from the observation points. I don't advise you to go to the lower viewing deck if steps bother you because there are a lot!

I would give extra stars if I could! This is just an amazing structure to see and visit. I love the view from any direction! It's amazing to see from the various views. Stop at the national park. There is a great view from the bridge at the bottom, well when it is not foggy out! Adventure on the gorge has a beautiful viewing area! The structure stands almost 900 ft in the air. There are many things to do in the area to enjoy the view of the bridge. Enjoy it from the top or the bottom. Take a plane ride or take a boat ride. Anyway you will love this amazing structure!

Beautiful bridge multiple viewpoints and it’s larger than it looks…PLEASE DO NOT PLAY COUNTRY ROADS ON REPEAT UNLESS YOU WANT TO GO INSANE (speaking from experience)

Upper platform has good views, the lower platform is a hike down several stories but allows much better views. Worth the trip!

Visiting the New River Gorge Bridge was an experience I won’t soon forget. The bridge itself, an architectural masterpiece, stretches majestically across the vast expanse of the gorge, offering unparalleled views of the river and surrounding wilderness. The engineering behind this enormous steel arch is as impressive as its visual impact, making it a highlight for both history buffs and engineering enthusiasts.The viewpoint from the bridge provides some of the most stunning panoramas of the New River Gorge, especially during the fall when the foliage bursts into vibrant colors. The area's natural beauty is complemented by the serene atmosphere and the gentle sounds of nature, creating a perfect backdrop for both relaxation and photography.Additionally, the local guides and informational displays at the nearby visitor center enriched my understanding of the area's history and the bridge's construction, enhancing my overall experience. The friendly staff and well-organized facilities made the visit smooth and enjoyable.Overall, the New River Gorge Bridge is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to appreciate one of America’s great landscapes and engineering feats. It’s an ideal spot for families, photographers, and adventurers alike. A truly memorable day out!

Our guide Jay looked little hikerish but we did really like him. He did an outstanding job of guiding the tour.

The New River Gorge Bridge is a beautiful, extremely impressive steel arch bridge that’s honestly a feat of human engineering! The arch is over 1,700 feet long and it was the world’s longest single-span arch bridge for over 25 years! It still is the world’s longest outside of China! That means when you see this thing, it is HUGE. Well worth the stop if you happen to be driving anywhere near this area - in fact, such an impressive piece of architecture, I would drive well over and hour to see it and explore the trails around it.This is a beautiful area of West Virginia with mountains and rivers everywhere, and the best part about it is it’s free! So why not stop and see the bridge? It’s one thing driving over it - you really can’t even see that much. It’s a whole different experience if you walk one of the short trails to the vantage points overlooking the bridge. Make the extra effort and do it because you’ll be very happy you did!

Gorgeous bridge across the New River Gorge bridgeThe bridge is a treat to drive over (shortening a formerly 45+ min commute to a minute) and is a great to look at with its classic rusty-facade.I’d highly recommend the bridge walk tour, which lasts around 2 hours across the full 3000 ft of the bridge. Our tour guide Scott was both extremely knowledgeable and humorous and the tour went by quickly! The tour costs >$80 per person which is pricy but it’s the only way to walk across the bridge.

Hiked up to an overlook to view jumping day! Watched many parachutes open as people jumped off the bridge. Most landed on the beach but some landed in the river. The rescue boats arrived within 30 seconds to help them get out of the cold water with their gear. Saw lots of river rafts in the river too. The bridge was closed all day until 5pm, but the police had it open right on time so we could drive across it and fry on our way. Looked like a well organized event.

I grew up in WV but only drive over the bridge once, never actually seeing it. It was a foggy and rainy Easter and my daughters and I decided to drive to the base on our way back to VA. It’s a winding one way road but the views are breathtaking. I think the fog only added to its beauty!

The New River Gorge Bridge is an architectural marvel and a must-visit landmark! Spanning the breathtaking New River Gorge, it offers stunning panoramic views that are truly unparalleled. Whether you're driving across or hiking below, the experience is awe-inspiring. The bridge's impressive design and towering height make it a perfect spot for photography and sightseeing. Don't miss the annual Bridge Day event, where you can witness thrilling base jumps and rappels. The New River Gorge Bridge combines natural beauty with engineering brilliance, making it an unforgettable destination!

What an amazing view, it's "Almost Heaven". Be sure to take the trail out to the overlook to take pictures and enjoy the views.

An absolute testament to civil engineering & the American steelworkers, the New River Gorge Bridge is something to behold. Located in the National Park there are many ways to observe the bridge. There is a upper observation deck which is very easy to walk to and access. The lower observation deck offers a different perspective of the bridge. Just know that there is 160 steps to the bottom, and the climb back up can be a bit challenging. There is also a visitors center & museum that offers the history & building of the bridge. A must see!Also there is a “Bridge Walk” experience. You will have a guide and be part of a group that walks the entire 3,030 ft of the bridge. You will be harnessed in and using a maintenance walkway under the bridge. The walk is very scenic, looking down from 876 ft you can enjoy the view of the river & park.I loved the bridge walk a strongly recommended it!!

Beautiful place. Great hike with excellent views! Definitely gonna get your steps in and heart rate up. The squeeze part is a little scary 😅 but so worth it!

Stopped here today on our way south. Such a wonderful stop!! Worth the walk down and back up the stairs. The visitors center had lots of info as well as a great view as well.

This was bridge day, number five, such an awesome experience, got some fantastic photos from this trip! It’s always a joy to visit the New river gorge bridge, and the surrounding area so much to do there!!! Will definitely be back again and again

Absolutely beautiful bridge!! So worth the time to marvel at if you're here anyways! Definitely stop by quickly, get out of your car, and admire the time and effort put in by all the people who dedicate so much time to keep this bridge functional!! A five piece of history!!

Let me start by saying that I hate heights. For me it was a bit scary. They have you strapped in to safety gear that really made me comfortable (although still nervous) and made a big difference. Our guide was fun and we had a great time.

Absolutely gorgeous from every single angle. Didn't realize how big this park was (50 miles up and down). Definitely plans for a 2-3 day trip if you want to see all of it.

4.9

(1965)

5.0

(1154)

US-19, Victor, WV 25938, USA

13 lists

Wonderful views with easy access!The star is a magnificent spot that overlooks all of Roanoke and even highlights other peaks in the area. A road will bring you all the way up, and it is wheelchair accessible. The best part is that it's free!A playground and picnic area lies just below the star. A great place to bring younglings!There is a botanical garden, but that part isn't wheelchair accessible. It's a very pleasant walk, and it has a fish pond. It's not the biggest garden, but well labeled.

I've driven by the Star on many drives through Roanoke...and finally made a trip with a friend recently; worth it! I would like to see it after dark, but seein the urban sprawl of the city, mixed with the mountain views was spectacular during the day.There is no cost to drive up to the overlook, and not much of a walk to the monument. Park area is clean and well maintained, with historical and informational signage.Definitely a great place to spend the day...there are other attractions nearby, including but not limited to the zoo, the discovery center, and hiking trails.

The Mill Mountain Star is a historical landmark in Roanoke. The view of the valley is spectacular. It has two overlooks, and walking trails. It's also in the same vicinity of the zoo (didn't visit due to time constraints), but we did take a little walk along one of the paved trails. I'd say that it's a 'must visit' spot if you are visiting the Roanoke area. (and it's free!)

If you are an outdoor person and/or have a dog, this is a great place to go. The view is outstanding and the air feels crisp and clean. There are trails and paths to walk. Some of the trails are difficult (rocks and grade), but the paths are paved and easy to walk. From the parking lot to the star is an easy path. Worth the short drive up there.

Panoramic views of the Roanoke Valley from several overlooks. Also a zoo, small park and Discovery Center - all in the shadow of the world's largest man-made star. Only the zoo has an admission fee.

This is a true Roanoke landmark overlooking the city. Well worth the drive up the mountain to check it out. The view is absolutely stunning. Can see all of Roanoke with the mountainside in the background. Come near dusk to take in the view and then see the star turn on. There is a platform to walk out on to take in the view and then check the star out. There is also a website where you can log on and see yourself. There are some walking trails around so you can go on a little gander. It's a must checkout.

Our family enjoyed the view! The mountain biking was fun. When I walked our dog on the trail below the Star, we were greeted with so much broken glass. I thought it would be okay once I got into the forest area, but there was broken glass along the entire trail. I had to carry out dog. Bummer!

The view from Mill Mountain was great even though the weather was not so great! Even with limited visibility and rain on our heels we were still able take in a pretty nice view from the vantage point at the base of the star.From what I could see the trails were nice(at the beginning at least)wish the weather was nicer so we could have meandered about for awhile.The restrooms…well…for guys I hope you don’t have IBS or another sensitive tummy issue. Ladies I would just hold it seriously! It’s not worth it!

Magnificent place! It's a beautiful area to stop and relax and take in the breath taking view of Roanoke and the Blue Ridge Mountains. I HIGHLY recommend a stop here!

What a beautiful stop this was. It's located on the Blue Ridge Mountain Road. The breath taking view looked over Roanoke. I bet it's beautiful at night! I hear the star lights up, too. They have a trail you can hike with your four-legged friends. They even offer a little dispenser of doggie poop bags. The dogwood trees were in bloom. The surrounding foliage is lush and green.Bathrooms are also provided. The main road takes you for a scenic drive.

This landmark is impressive and the views are amazing. At night it is very grand to see the star fully illuminated. Access is restricted after 11pm.There is a pavilion to picnic under as well as a playground for children in the park. A beautiful garden is well maintained and a free discovery center holds information about the local geography and animals.There is also a small zoo on Mill Mountain which can be visited for a fee. There is a miniature train you can purchase tickets to ride on and see the perimeter of the zoo. With the train tickets and entry for 4 adults and 2 children the cost was less than $100. The zoo closes prior to the park closing, so check hours ahead of time.

Beautiful, beautiful view of the city and just looking at all the mountains. Must visit if you're in Roanoke! Came to visit a friend, and she took me to see!! So grateful for the memorable opportunity she gave me as well as thinking of taking me! Thanks Olivia!!! :)

The star is one of the best and oldest attractions in the area, drawing visitors who are locals as well as tourists/visitors to our city. You can't beat the view of the valley, and the overlooks are perfect for capturing those gorgeous views. The playground has picnic tables next to it for a perfect spot to enjoy lunch while the kids have their own little adventures climbing, sliding, and making their way through the tunnel.The star and overlooks are free, as well as parking, making it an excellent choice for a weekend afternoon family outing or picnic.

A marvelous view! A wonderful spot to go anytime of the day but I recommend going at night. I took my daughter and we had an absolutely amazing time! Very easy to get to. Not a far walk at all to the lookout. The lookout itself is outstanding! The star is truly a marvel. I highly recommend this for a family outing. I will be back here again and again!

Being that this is the largest man-made star, it’s a must see if you are in the area. Easy trail through the park, the star is located opposite to a beautiful observation desk. Also in the park are a kids playground, discovery center, wildflowers garden, zoo, a pavilion and probably more:)

Quiet and peaceful spot high atop Roanoke. Enjoyed seeing the massive star and the observation deck at its base. Clean restrooms and a few short walking paths wind around the park.

Easy but winding road through the park to the Star and overlook. Free. Informative signs. Facilities accessible including restroom. Kids and adults enjoyed local history and culture and unique experience.

This will always be one of my favorite places in the valley! We can see it from a window in our house which is a really sweet bonus! The views are breathtaking and it's always clean no matter how many guests are on the platform. A favorite for us is to visit in December and see all the pockets of lights!

Was on a work trip and went there when it was dark, the star light was light as well, we all had a flocking good time and walked away happier than when we had arrived. Besides my teams fowl language, it was kid appropriate.

It was amazing to drive up the mountain to the overlook to see the Roanoke Star up close. It had just turned on by the time we got the top. And the view of Roanoke from the overlook was beautiful.

This was a beautiful walk to see the whole city from a birds eye view. There are several trails. We suggest starting at the discovery center to collect a free map. This would be a great family place to explore trails too.

The Mill Star is usually all white except for patriotic holidays. GPS brings you to the bottom of the site. You need to keep driving until you see the entrance to the park. The view of the city from the lookout is amazing.

Great thing to see up close after seeing it from below. The Roanoke Star, also known as the Mill Mountain Star, is the world's largest freestanding illuminated man-made star. It is just a short walk to the front side of the star. There is a nice platform that overlooks Roanoke for great viewing of the city below, but also with enough room to turn around and get a picture of the giant star. It was cold and starting to get dark, there were only 2-3 cars at any point. There looked to be nice restrooms but didn't go check them out.

We've been walking here in the evenings for a little exercise. Nice paved paths by star and zoo. Interesting trails through woods, rocky in places but well worn paths.

Not a local but stopped by while passing through the area. The star is huge as expected but it's the view of the city that really gets you. Lol there is a restroom also located in the parking lot of the star. If you walk the trail next to the star, it leads you down to the discovery center and the flower gardens. Walking through the garden will lead you directly to the zoo. The garden was not yet in bloom and the zoo was closed for the day (5pm) but still a nice walk.

I visited the Mill Mountain Star on an early morning will in town for a sporting event. Walked around the trails and walking paths. Then stopped at the star and the overlook of the city. Great view. Very easy to get to from the parking area as well.

Beautiful place, bathrooms are clean but old and Beat up. Pretty and short little walking trails. Open till 11pm so you can go for a night viewing too.

Don't miss The Roanoke Star when you're in town! Beautiful scenic overlook of the valley, and walking trails for you to enjoy the mountain air! We also put our drone up and got some great shots!

Very cool star with a great view of the city. There are hiking trails up there, parking and bathrooms. Everything is free!

4.8

(4239)

4.5

(1304)

2000 Jb Fishburn Pkwy SE, Roanoke, VA 24014, USA

+11 other lists

Interesting site, Easy to find. Unique pieces.The building is right off one of the major road and is easy to get to from the road. In fact it can be seen from several road. There are signs that lead to parking and there seems to be plenty of parking. This is like an art store, a glass factory and a business had a baby. It is an interesting store in many ways. Outside the round building has large triangular pieces that jut out from the building roof. It is surrounded by the Tamarack open air gallery. Inside the building is a circular design around an open atrium. The walkway is very pretty inside with beautiful art of all types. There is woodworking, painting, ceramics and food. It is all displayed in a vaulted room that has a lot of natural light around the central displays. The floor design is very pretty tile and carpet interspaced. We did not end up buying anything since the prices seemed high. This is a good place to see if you have never been to West VA as it has some art of local artists and a glass blowing furnace that was operating when we visited.

Bourbon Pecan Pie Coffee. Full bodied, nutty, with haunting overtones of bourbon. Treat yourself and get a large cup to sip while you meander around this wonderful building. Exquisitely arranged arts and crafts meet you at every turn. Plenty of free parking and free entry. Well worth the visit!

We decided to visit the marketplace out of curiosity and looking for things to do. The fall foliage added to the picturesque marketplace building. It was welcoming, clean, well organized on both sides of the continuous main aisle with artisans wares on both sides with no walls in between. Many different displays of items available from, Pottery, Carvings, Woodworking, Inlays, Glass Blowers (actually making the glass figurines onsite), Quilts, Art, Stone clocks, Pictures and many other things. Of course there was a really good food court not typical, one where you would get in line, order, pay then sit and then food runners that got your food for you. The quality of the products appears to be really high. However, prices were in the range of do you really, really want it, then you'd probably buy whatever it was that you were looking at. And Yes we did do it....lol We enjoyed ourselves with the eye candy of looking at very nice products. So if you're in the area and looking something to do you might like it too. Enjoy.

Tamarack Marketplace in Beckley is a true treasure. The assortment of handcrafted products is genuinely outstanding with each piece showcasing unique patterns and imaginative touches. Each item reflects the craftsmen' passion and talent. The selection is wonderful, with a pleasant set of handcrafted quilts, quilted bags for children to hold books and crayons, elegant glass art, beautifully created wooden items, natural honey, and much more. The environment is warm and welcoming, and the staff are particularly helpful and kind. It's an unforgettable experience that highlights West Virginia's originality and artistic ability. I highly recommend a visit!

Nice spot to stop off and walk around after riding in the car for hours...has a great collection of art work outside (pictured) and inside. This place highlights crafts, arts, and other great items from the state. I stop every time I go through the area and usually find at least one or two items that come home with me.

We went here one morning. It’s easy off/ on from the highway and has plenty of parking. As the name suggests it’s a marketplace and not a art museum etc. This is a place with a good variety of artists hand crafted items for sale. Some of the items are hand made tables, lamps, jewelry, candles etc. There’s also a local shop that makes hand blown glasses, bowls etc. Besides selling the items you can make your own. It’s done with their help and guidance but it’s a lot of fun and doesn’t take long. I made a glass and it came out great. Besides the shopping area there’s a restaurant with really good food.

This was a really neat place to visit with my mother. There was so many awesome craft and art pieces to look at. They had a glass blowing studio with lots to purchase. Quilts, gemstones, jewelry, leather goods, silver handmade earrings and jewelry. All kinds of really neat handmade stuff. The restaurant wasn't the best. I got a chicken sandwich and it was very bland. My mom got a BBQ sandwich and she liked hers. Overall this is a really neat place to visit.

Wow! What an amazing place to stop! There is literally something for everyone, including pets! I've been here before and it was nice, but you can really tell they are capitalizing on the travel plaza renovations, which I think is great! The food is delicious and there are so many options from grab and go sandwiches to sit down dinners! The hand dipped ice cream was a huge hit with my children! I also love how they have a huge room of books where they feature WV authors, especially Emily Calandrelli, my favorite! We will definitely be back here!

Nicest Visitor’s Center I’ve ever been in… but they could use more food vendors. The place is closed on Tuesdays.

Great place to stop when you're traveling. Amazing collection of items from local artists. It offers food, ice cream, snacks, shopping and clean restrooms. Never miss this stop when traveling.

Unique building. Had to see what Berkeley WV is famous for. It did not disappoint. They were blowing glass while we were there. Got wine,t shirts, and wooden spoons.

What a great place to take a break from the road. Amazing art pieces. From quilts to custom furniture, paintings and a bookstore. They also have a dining area - don’t think it’s a wait staff restaurant but it may be more of counter service. I just saw a good amount of tables .

Honestly I went for the food. In which was barely okay, The atmosphere, however For this Facility was fantastic. There were many shops that had many different creative ideas. Selling art, all the way to honey.. great place to check out tho

What s great pit stop! Kids got to get out and stretch their legs. Bathrooms are extremely clean. And it has absolutely beautiful items inside! I love to stop every time we travel. i can always find something unique and beautiful to get!

I love going to Tamarack and seeing all of the handcrafted goods. It's especially good to see artisans there doing their talented craft. While prices are high on some items I know the work that goes into making items like that. I have done ceramics and know the time and effort of babying things to make them your vision. This is definitely a place you can go and get a handcrafted (most of the time the only one) piece of beautiful artwork! This is a wonderful showcase of West Virginia artists 💜

Very fun and unique shopping experience. When you go to check out take your items to customer service I felt really stupid walking around looking for cashiers. But aside from that it’s a great spot to pick up gifts or hand made goods, local artists really have put a lot into their wares that are here. The sculpture garden outside is really neat as well.

We stopped for a quick stop while we were on a long car drive. A great place to stretch your legs with clean restrooms. They have such amazing wares from all local vendors. Some very beautiful pieces and a great selection. I think they are lacking a decent restaurant though.

Everything WV made! Food-Beer-Wine-Art-Pottery-Blown Glass-Quilts-Wood works-a nice cafe for snacks and quick bites. Restrooms and fur babies are welcome. Nice place to stretch your legs and get out of the car for a bit. Nice area to picnic in the middle area. Tons of shopping ideas for gifts. Kind staff and very accommodating from the entrance all around! Fantastic place that exemplifies West Virginia! We had a soup tasting on Good Friday and had a blast with folks just passing thru from all over! Honey-Jams-Jewelry and more! Super close to gasoline and interstate. Hotels nearby. A must see!! Stock up on your unique WV items!

Amazing arts and crafts. They have a woodworking studio, glass blowing studio, and a pottery studio. Tons of gorgeous art, crafts, and goodies to admire and for purchase, but be warned that the prices aren't cheap! Kids can also get souvenir pennies. The Cafe has delicious food. A great stopover that is worth the time!

Beautiful art by local artists, local food vendors as well. Super clean and fun rest stop for us from a long drive. They had dog bowls outside for furry friends who needed a break too. The glass maker has a spot where you can make glass ornaments and bowls for a small price. The building is set up in a circle so you don’t have to double back which I thought was helpful as well. I recommend this place as the view is nice as well.

A beautiful place to visit! So many beautiful artisan creations, a wonderful cafe, sweet confections, ice cream & gelato! The interior courtyard is little paradise! It is very clean and the staff are helpful & friendly. There is a designated dog walking area that has some shade & some sun. Dogs are permitted inside and anywhere on the grounds as long as they are leashed. Pickup bags & trash cans are provided in the dog walking area. A win-win for everyone!!

This place is awesome. They had a big arts and music festival going on when I stoped. I would definitely stop here again. I would love to go back and try my hand at glass blowing.

For an off-the-highway pit stop, Tamarack has a most of what you need and a lot of what you want.The gas station is closed right now which is inconvenience, but other than that it's definitely full-featured including meals, bathrooms, outdoor entertainment for smaller children, and shopping for local and non-local items from artwork to foodstuffs.The most significant drawback is the line to order food. Perhaps this is primarily an issue on the weekend, but on a Saturday in July expect long lines to order and long waits to receive your food.Definitely worth the stop if you're trip has any planned breaks within +/- 45 minutes from Tamarack - tough it out and go the extra distance to visit or stop early and adjust your trip for longer segment post-visit.

We stopped in for a late lunch had had a soup and sandwhich combination. We toured the facility and were amazed. My wife especially enjoyed the paintings artistic displays.

Stopped here thinking it was just a regular rest stop and was pleasantly surprised by all the beautiful art pieces for sale. They also have craft stations to learn to make your own and have since been back for the glassblowing class twice.. love it.

It's such an awesome market. Food courts, sweets, and coffee. Art galleries, handcrafted gifts ranging from wood, glass, and even coal..yes coal. I got a few nice little goodies here. It's pet friendly, too. Nice place to stop and set for a while. Stretch your legs and buy some gifts.

A great place for travelers to stop, look around at various amazing things that West Virginia has to offer. From craft beers, wines, maple syrup, candy, wood working, glass blowing. Always watch the actual artist in work in their studios. Pottery, hand crafted musical instruments and more. Stop into the Greenbrier Shoppe for coffee, and souvenirs or the delicious restaurant on the premises.

Stopped here because for truckers, there was nowhere else to go. Snow storm came in, and the travel mart is under construction.. This center is of arts and crafts. Definitely nothing for a toddler to be in. One restaurant and store next to them with snacks and ice cream. I would say it had some interesting things inside. However, was looking forward to the travel mart.

Always a fun stop for a meal, a driving break, shopping, or just a bathroom break. They have everything from clothes, jams and jellies, glasswork, and pottery; to a great cafeteria that’s not typical cafeteria food, much better; to pottery and glass making classes.

I have passed this area several times in my travels, but I had never stopped. Boy, was I missing out! This place is wonderful. I loved wandering around this beautifully filled market. There were so many unique items. I kept finding myself smiling just looking at them. I especially enjoyed the stained glass piece located by the bathrooms, the quilts, and the painted pieces. Honestly, everything was beautiful. I don't think I will ever just drive by this spot again without stopping. I am also hoping to schedule a class in the future. It's a bit far from hope what what a great experience!

Absolutely beautiful, unique place! My second visit. I can't live this place umty handed! There is so much to see! We spend hours walking around and looking at amazing art , patery, and glass blowing classes in process! We eat lunch there, they use a lot of local produce, the menu has a lot of choices and food is delicious !

4.5

(7578)

4.5

(1119)

1 Tamarack Pl, Beckley, WV 25801, USA

+57 other lists

Had a wonderful time visiting the center. It would have been better on a cooler day or maybe earlier in the morning. The kids did not enjoy the zoo part in the heat and the animals were smart staying inside.Was impressed with the amount of butterflies they had. Lots of play areas for kids to enjoy. The aquarium section had a good variety of fish and other animals to see. The dinosaur area was okay but wasn't a highlight. Pretty basic.Bonus we got to see the baby red panda they had in the hospital building. It was so adorable.

Great place, friendly staff. I'm sure I'll get hate for this, but wish they had hours or even a dedicated day for adults only. Otherwise, go early to avoid the kids if that's not your thing.Cool setup for all animals, the aquarium section was really cool too. Staff was all VERY pleasant!

Came here for the first time, because we had a reciprocal zoo membership we got half off our admission which was nice. The aquarium is small but was nice, had some interesting animals, penguins were pretty active and there was a touch tank. The zoo itself was small compared to other zoos, not a large amount of animals but a decent amount, some were napping or indoors so we weren’t able to see them well. Large play area for kids, pretty cool and fun for parents too I think. Science center was interesting had some good exhibits, lots of interactive stuff.

This place is awesome. Literally found this place just looking for something to do while in Greensboro. I'm so glad we did. The educational factor of this place is off the charts. Such a fun learning experience. The zoo section was one of the most fun parts of the whole place. If you ever go out, you should wander over to the red pandas and the lemars they are great.

Took my young kids here and they had a lot of fun. So much to do, we easily spent 7 hours here so make sure you leave yourself enough time to explore. There's a great playground and plenty of restrooms. The Cafe had great food and coffee

Awesome plus so much more! Seen a lot of hands-on stuff for kids. Although it was just me and my wife. Love the aquarium stuff and getting to pet the stingrays. If you get a chance check out the theater attractions you won't be disappointed. Didn't get a chance to check out the zoo outside or the carousel cuz it was raining. Everything was very nice everyone that worked there was very polite and respectful. Everything was nice and clean. Everyone was also very helpful at answering any questions that we had pertaining to the exhibits. It's worth every penny. I really recommend this as a spot to check out we had an awesome time there can't wait to go again

Went with my nephew for a field trip. They have a lot exhibits & cool things for kids to do. If you like animals is essentially a mix between an aquarium & a zoo with other fun activities mixed in. They also have a playground area, zip lines, & a solitarium. We didn't get to experience everything because of the weather, but we still had a good time!

Our family loves our trips here. The exhibits are fantastic, and the facilities are super. There is something here for everyone in the family to enjoy. We like that there are some more unique animals and that there are lots of interactive elements to play with or on. A visit during the winter lights is also a must-do.

This place is a local gem. I took the family over spring break. They have classes, information sessions and you are able to interact with several animals. They even allow you to touch animals including the sting ray. We have been before however there have been many upgrades. The outside renovations are beautiful and so much fun. There are more animals and they even have an animal hospital where you can learn so much about taking Care of the animals and medical procedures they perform. The staff was polite and helpful. This is perfect day trip.

What an awesome experience!! I will highly recommended to purchase a membership and expect to make a day of it! Why?! There is so much to see and to do! A learning adventure packed with so much fun & excitement! Although, many of the outdoor animals were hiding due to the heat, we were still able to see many different animals from all over the world without even leaving Greensboro.If you plan on going for the day, pack a lunch and some cool drinks. The cafe there smelled scrumptious and the prices were ridiculously high but an adventure like the Science Center a packed picnic lunch just makes it even more special!One of the best Science Centers around and well worth the adventure

Great place for a quick visit and a pleasant experience. The zoo is very organized and clean. The aquarium has well maintained tanks and plenty of wildlife. Lots of parking spaces are available. Super friendly staff

Loved it. I chaperoned for my daughter's school, and it was pretty easy to find everything with the map they give you at the front desk (I had to ask for it). All the exhibits were very well kept and all the animals were beautiful. Plenty of places for the kids to play, and/or sit down and rest. The gift shop was very nice too.

The Science Center is a great place to take you kiddos!! There are interactive opportunities. The aquarium is wonderful and includes a sing ray tank, which allows the children to gently touch them. There is a butterfly garden with opportunities for some great pictures and learning about the beautiful varieties there. There is so much more!! You should allow yourself a minimum of 2hrs to enjoy it.

We had such a great visit! They've added many new things over the years. My kids had a great time, the weather room, the dinosaurs, and the aquarium. The outdoor zoo was closed because of ice and snow, but they did discount our admission. We will definitely be back!

Wonderful science museum. I love the expansions to the outdoor animal habitats. Absolutely beautiful and easy to navigate. The renovated dinosaur exhibit is also really nice. The theater has a good variety of shows, but be sure to get in line early. The aquarium is a favorite spot; the penguins are so fun to watch. The behind the scenes tour of the aquarium is an extra cost, but it's worth it if you're interested in sea life. Really good tour.

I Love going there. It's best to go early in the morning or on a cool day.The animals don't like heat, and I don't blame them. I don't like it either. We always have A Great Time.

We have been coming here for the last ten years. It has changed over time and they have added so much. We always enjoy bringing our kids. Our oldest is 11 and our youngest is 9 months old. We thoroughly enjoyed Greensboro Scoence Center.

Great family place! My little family and friends spent hours here. They have a small aquarium, butterfly sanction, dinosaur exhibit, zoo, and so many other things here! We went early to beat the crowd, but by afternoon, it got crowded fast! There were lots of different play stations and areas that the kids were never bored. We sadly didn't get to see the baby hippo, but we did see the baby red panda.

This was an amazing experience! The African penguin exhibit was by far my favorite part. As a bird enthusiast seeing different birds was really cool. They even had a merchandise store and I got an African penguin plush.They have festive events like winter wonder lights which we will have to see later this year. All in all very fun experience and will be coming back again.

We had a great time here on a school field trip with a group of 3rd graders. I don't think we had any "I'm bored" moments. From the aquarium to the outdoor animals, we got to see a lot of stuff. The kids really enjoyed the giant playground.

One of the best experiences my family and I had. Many things for kids of all ages to do and they even have Christmas lights at night. Many different kinds of animals and some dinosaurs exhibits. Beautiful aquarium as well

We love visiting the Greensboro science center. This was our second time going. It was a bit crowded because of school groups but we've been before in the summer and it wasn't as bad. Lots to see and do. Great shows and events. Good food at the cafe. We will definitely be back again.

They’ve made a lot of changes since our visit over a year ago go. It’s way more kid friendly too. The tree house playground was phenomenal and my picture doesn’t do it justice as it’s so much bigger with more areas to explore.

We absolutely loved it here! It was July and very hot though and it's quite a bit of outdoor walking so I wouldn't recommend going in the summer time like we did 🥵 And for the little ones I would definitely bring a stroller, my 4 year old got a little tired. But other than that it was absolutely amazing.... this place was fun for the whole family and lots to see and do, also very educational. I do recommend going early and staying all day though because we didn't have enough time to see and do all the things we wanted to from 2pm-5pm, it's just that big of a place with so many fun things to explore! Also definitely ask for a map at the front desk because that helped us a lot. No firearms and vapes aloud as well but I wish I would of known you can bring your own food and drink, next time I'll bring snacks and water because it's cheaper to bring your own. We'll definitely be going back though when it cools off 👍🏼

Wow! Great place with lots and lots of things to do! A walkable zoo with a good variety of animals, an aquarium inside with AC 🥵 😂 a cool dinosaur room, and lots of places for kids to play! The tree house style play area was SO COOL for my kids (age 4) and me. There’s a few indoor play things as well that are very interactive and engaging. A pendulum that swings all day, illustrating the rotation of the Earth is in the middle of the main building. That seems like nothing but our whole party stopped and stared for a while. There a small cafe upstairs and lots of spots to eat downstairs. Plenty of bathrooms! There is a family room as well for nursing moms or families with really littles. There are sensory bags available for those with sensor processing difficulties and a sensory map that warns you of the different smells, sounds, etc around the facility. We did not get to do the friendly zoo area that I believe is like a petting zoo or the butterfly room. The butterfly room is closed until May 17. We just ran out of energy for the petting zoo.“This was even more fun than the zoo!” - quote from one of my kidsWe definitely will come back. This was a great time.

The Greensboro Science Center is amazing! I had no idea Greensboro was hiding such a gem. First off, they have a tiger. Yes, a real, live tiger! Seeing it up close is like meeting a rock star, but with more stripes and a lot more roar.This place is huge and there's so much to do that you'll feel like a kid in a candy store—if the candy store had a tiger, an aquarium, and a museum rolled into one. Every corner you turn, there's something new and exciting to discover. It's like a never-ending adventure that keeps surprising you.The staff is friendly, the place is spotless, and the fun is nonstop. If you're in Greensboro, the Science Center is a must-visit. It's educational, thrilling, and just plain fun. Prepare to be amazed and entertained all day long! Don't forget to bring your walking shoes.

My family recently visited the Greensboro Science Museum for the first time, and overall, it was a memorable experience. We particularly enjoyed exploring the diverse range of animals and learning fascinating new things. However, we were slightly disappointed by the size of the museum itself, finding it smaller than expected. Nevertheless, the zoo section was a standout highlight, offering an immersive and enjoyable experience. The aquarium was also a hit, especially the opportunity to interact with stingrays, which was simultaneously fun and slightly gross. Additionally, the option of trying out the ropes course, albeit at an extra cost, seemed enticing. The presence of a cafe offering snacks and lunch, as well as picnic tables, provided convenient options for dining. While unsure about outside food policies, checking the museum's website for details would likely clarify this. Overall, despite some minor drawbacks, the Greensboro Science Museum offered a fulfilling day out for the whole family.

The staff were friendly and professional. The gentleman working the aquarium was very knowledgeable and experienced with the fish. This place is a great place for families or couples. There were exhibits for all ages to enjoy. The zoo area and animals were well taken care of and clean. We will definitely be back and strongly recommend!

Absolutely must-visit place in Triad. This place is very interactive and family friendly. Lots of various animals and many spaces where family can take rest and enjoy picnics. The museum itself is well maintained and has lots of aspects that visitors can think about their lives and environment. We spent about 2 hours to explore the place but it seems that we need more time to fully be emerged in the exploration.

Had an absolute blast with my kids here! I was not expecting it to be so big! So cool it has an aquarium, zoo, museum, farm area, dinosaur area, tree houses play area! So many different things to do in one shot! We all had such a great time and will be returning again

Absolutely loved our visit here... There is so much to do and see you could easily spend the day here... Even their cafe is affordable... Had so much fun with the penguins and the petting pool... There is also an outdoor zoo as well... Super fun for all ages

My childhood! This place is perfect and I could see myself making monthly visits to see all the animals. A gem for Greensboro— take your children, they will absolutely love it but also the perfect spot for an interactive date. The center is clean and neat.

Wow we came to this area of nc to goto the north carolina zoo, but this science center is just a good or better! The facility is very clean and there is so much to see and do. My kids had a great time. There is a tree house playground half way through that breaks up the visit and allows the kids to go wild for a bit. Food prices were reasonable, much much better than the zoos outrageous pricing. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Animals seemed well taken care of and my kids loved touching the sharks and sting Ray in the interactive pool. Honestly if the zoo didn't have the giraffe feeding and gorilla's, I would suggest this place over the zoo.

Nice small science center, mini zoo type of attraction. It was almost 100° so we didn't get to enjoy seeing the outside animals, we walked out there but other than meerkat nothing else was out. There were so many people and it was so loud there. We were able to see everything in an hour.

A coworker recommended this place to me and I was not disappointed! I was surprised to see so much for less than $20. I saw animals that I never even heard of. There is so much to learn and explore here! The only thing I wish that could have been better was the viewing angles of certain animals. I would've liked to see more of the tiger. However, several animals managed to keep my attention throughout the day. I especially enjoyed the peacock, red pandas, and gibbons monkey. This place is highly recommended for nature, science and animal enthusiasts.

My 2 year old & 6 month old loved it can't wait to return with the boys every year. Just be sure to go on a clear day cause they put away certain animals in with thunder or a little rain.See you next time tigers 🐅

I love this place. It's a great place to take kids as well. Buy something there or pack your own lunch and spend the entire day looking at all the cool animals! Maybe a peacock will show you his beautiful tail!

We were very impressed with the layout, content and the people. Our visiting 9 y.o. grand daughter especially liked the hands-on items, including the sting rays. It was hot, but most of the animals were out. We spent several hours there and will definitely go again.

Took the kids for a fun day here had a little bit of something for everyone!!! They loved the butterfly experience it was nice first time seeing it!!! The maze room was a hit to!!! Just make sure you have patience n can handle crowds know it’s busy!!!

One of the best Science centers I've been to in a long time. There is so much to see from the animals to the science center itself. A lot of hands on learning and interesting facts that aren't commonly known. Highly recommend if you are staying in Greensboro. With kids or even just adults.

It's a great place for school and family trips. The animals look well taken care of, and you can see where they take care of the reptiles. They also have where you can touch sting rays. Staff is also friendly and willing to help.

This place was amazing! So much to see and interact with. The zoo was cool. Aquarium was really fun. Great place to learn new things. I recommend waiting until school foeldtrips are over.

What a WONDERFUL place.There is a very nice zoo and also a very cool aquarium. Both of these are small but it doesn't matter because there is a nice variety of animals to see. The zoo enclosures are very impressive.I absolutely love the layout of the museum. It's possible to go into an exhibit room, enjoy the room and not feel as if you will lose the children.I highly recommend for children of all ages.

Omg this place was wonderful! It's huge and so much more than a science center. There is an aquarium and a mini petting zoo. There is a place for the kiddos to play in tree houses that connect and also a small amount of zoo animals. They have a café as well. The kids loved every bit.

Worth every penny! Outside is definitely better than the inside!Pro:- huge time spender (easy 3-5 hours)- diversity of exhibits- affordable- tons of rest areas, food, drinks, snacksCon:- so much walkingGreat spot! Just arrive early or after lunch! Your kid will crash or not want to leave!

4.7

(8751)

4.5

(1320)

4301 Lawndale Dr, Greensboro, NC 27455, USA

5 lists

My family and I visited and just did a self guided tour (we did not purchase tickets) because we wanted to check it out the place first to see if it was worth it. Just to kill a couple of hours walking around on a beautiful day was well with it and we will definitely be back to see the inside of the houses and shops. People are dressed up for the times and the explain how things were made in each specific shop. From the beautiful landscape, houses and just walking down the old stone roads, I recommend taking a stroll back in time in Old Salem.

Old Salem in a few words worth the trip. Lots of places to visit. Walking sight seeing tour including other Museums, story telling from inside, a bakery, history of Old Salem, etc.

Nice place to visit. I really enjoyed thier seed saving project. Good museum. They have a bakery you can visit as well as a pottery place and a few gift shops. The Cafe has good food and drinks.

Went for a field trip and had a great time, we wish it would have been longer (so we stayed!). Everyone working here really enjoys talking about the culture and lives of the people who lived there. They’re knowledgeable and fully immersed in what they’re talking about. The bakery was also fun, and we plan to bring the whole family back.

So much history here!! It is a easy paced self tour. The bakery offers so many sweet breads, rolls, strudels and quick breads. We picked up a variety of baked goods and had to take a taste of each one. Everything was amazing!

Beautifully restored and maintained historical site. Would love to see more of the buildings opened back up, including the bakery.

Such a unique experience full of history and architecture! We learned so much about wood working, gardening, fabrics, etc. This space was FULL of history and everyone you encountered was excited to tell you all about it!

Came here for just a few hours while I was passing through town with my family. Pretty cool to learn about the history and see the old buildings, but like I said, we weren't able to stay long and it was in the '90s.

This is a beautifully restored 18th century American history village that documents the contributions of Moravian culture in N.C. It was like visiting Williamsburg VA. without the long ride. So if you have a day or even a weekend, see this cultural making of simpler times. I found in their gift store a repurposed book creatively sculpted from the pages of the past "LOVE"! Your kids will love their Moravian skinny Cookies...so don't miss a stop at the town bakery Also their Village tavern for lunch is a home grown farmer's delight ... not sure if they take reservations as things change day by day. Check the times and dates because they are not always open. If the weather is good, do the free covered bridge, village, college, and the stone tablet cemetary first and make reservations for lunch. It took us a day. Explore the more detailed and diverse history of the village by planning an indoor tour of the many museums on a rainy day or hot afternoon.

Had beautiful weather to walk around Old Salem. I learned a lot about the Morovian community. The tour guides at the various houses and at the museum were all very knowledgeable.

Go every year! Just love this event! So 5hankful to all the volunteers!

We really enjoyed our morning walk around old Salem and found our way into one of the buildings where the attendant explained to us that only 3 of the buildings were free to go into. She took out a map and explained how it all works. It was our first time and we weren't interested in paying to see stuff, so that was helpful to know. She also told us about the old cigarette vending machine they had, now stocked with artwork the size of cigarette packs that you can buy. Each tab you pull has a different type of art by different artists and she explained what you get with each one. I bought 2 to give to my niece and nephew and can't wait to see what they get. Anyway, we wandered around old Salem and stopped at the bakery (nice gift shop and you can buy some Moravian baked goods - the ginger snaps were delicious and I wish I'd bought more). The single sisters home was not open and we didn't go into the church. There appeared to be something going on and a small band was playing in the park across from the church. The fall leaves were beautiful. A great introduction to old Salem.

Totally wonderful. The staff is beyond gracious, knowledgeable and kind. Buy tickets at the museum or the visitor center. The Moravian cookies are out of this world! Lemon & ginger are the best by far. Definitely recommend

A great place to walk around. I went early in the morning before everything was open and enjoyed the quiet time. It's a mix of residences and park buildings.I'm told Halloween is bonkers.

Very interesting place. We bought the all encompassing tickets to view everything we could. We'll worth it, the docents and staff were very friendly and knowledgeable.

Cute place, parking is available. Shares the history of Old Salem. You can buy tickets. You can also buy their bread and they have a safe that opened recently.I really only go here for Pokemon Go. Good for Comm Day but it is outside.I really wish WS had an indoor area with stops and somewhere else with many stops because I heard that the lady there doesn't like us "pogo players" walking around

Old Salen Museum is such a beautiful small village surrounded by a lot of vegetation and nature that will define toy make your day. You can just park in the middle of it and walk around and trough all these amazing (perfectly preserved) buildings. There are a couple of options for eating and taste some of their bakery and desserts specials and you have to take the time to visit the Salem College too which is also so cozy and beautiful. Look at the pictures to have a better idea of the place ;0)

An amazing journey to the past! Beautiful houses, gardens, old trees, really nice people. Look like a scene of a movie, great place to learn about history with your kids.

It was amazing to see the old, historic buildings and to walk around the streets of Old Salem! It's amazing that many of these buildings that date back to the 1700s are now private residences! We didn't go into any of the buildings.

4.7

(1331)

4.5

(1294)

600 S Main St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA

+47 other lists

+78 other lists

If you are in Charlotte, it is a fun place to visit and good for all age groups. You can buy tickets at the booth or book online, either you it works. Consider family membership option if you are family of two and have 2-3 kids, as the family membership provides more value for money and you get two buddy passes which you can use immediately during the visit if you have more than two adults in your group. Simulation drive is included with the family membership, so value instead of combo tickets. It is a long line sometimes and probably most times to get into simulation. You can easily spend 3-4 hours at the museum, rest rooms are clean and very accessible.

NASCAR hall of fame museum is a must visit! I enjoyed this a lot with my family. The experience wasn’t what I had expected at all— in a great way! Stimulations and interactive activities all throughout. Very clean and well kept facility. Loved the gear shop as well. Highly recommend purchasing the Combo 1 package as you’re provided a cool lanyard for your hard card and unlimited rides on the race stimulator. Would love to visit again.

Its interesting and they have guided tours as well as a pit crew test where you can compete against other people. Not very expensive and they have a military discount, but not first responder for entrance tickets. Parking is not free unless you are a "Legends and Champions" member-I assume you'd know if you meet that qualification.

Whether you're newly introduced to NASCAR or you're an avid fan, this place is a must-see. My mom and I went today, and it was a treat! We were able to take our time to look through all of the exhibits, and the staff was so courteous. They were very enthusiastic and willing to answer any questions. A memorable experience all around.

I am glad to finally visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame. My son is a big fan and I watch it a bit but we both had a blast! Learning the history and seeing everything on display was mesmerizing. The simulators were exciting and it was great to experience what the NASCAR life is like. I wish there were a few more sections so kids can interact since they are fans too but we made it work. The staff was very friendly and answered any questions we had.

Loud of fun. Lunch was delicious. The stations were fun to interact with. I learned a lot but I didn't know. The simulations were a lot of fun and almost everyone could participate young and old. The videos were fun to watch. The gift shop was amazing and you could get so many different things there. We also were able to get a group photo. I highly recommend this museum

It's interesting and neat to see the cars. But for 34 dollars and 12 dollars for parking. Unless your a really big fan of racing save yourself some money and skip this. There's a 12 minute movie that was interesting. But the best thing that is offered is the simulation it will have a long wait unless your going to stay all day plan on going on it once. Nascar is a billion dollar sport and this was the best they could do for its hall of fame, sorry but it's a big disappointment.

We had an absolutely amazing time here. About $ 80+ for 3 people with 2 of our tickets being discounted military. There are packages you can purchase to include a simulator ride. Very interactive. You get a card to scan at the stations for more information or to activate the kiosks. You can take a picture and get your face and name on the large jumbo screen with your favorite drivers you select underneath your picture welcoming you. There was a simulator qualifier, the real thing and a timed pit crew simulator. Super cool museum to view the history of NASCAR, owner and driver history. Amazing time for all.

Clean facilities, everything was easy to read and adequate labelling of where to go. Good explanation of interactive activities or what was displayed. Best part was the staff, they were all very happy to help, explain and keep you engaged. Definitely recommend the simulator combo. Didn't eat there but food smelled and looked delicious.

We got to go after hours with our convention, so it was pretty packed, and im not sure how that compares to a normal experience. If you're interested in Nascar, you'll love this place! There is lots of information for the history buffs, and lots to see! There was even interactive displays and "games."

Pretty cool for a half day activity and have fun games and activities for the kids. Wish there was more representation of diversity and some bumper cart action to tie it all together. A bit underwhelming for how big the building is.

Great for kids, honestly it was much more interactive than I thought it would be. They have an individual card for you to use and scan throughout the tour to customize your experience, lots of models of the engineering and building of the cars too. They went all out on decoration and props, the place is extremely clean and well kept. 4 stories, but with elevators and ramps leading all the way up it's not a difficult jot though they said it takes about 3 hours to complete we were done in about 2. If you pay the extra for the driving simulator, there will be a bit of a wait and we didn't have that kind of time. All in all, great value and a good memory

I’m not a NASCAR fan but the hall of fame is definitely worth visiting if you are in town and have time. We visited on a Monday right when it opened and it was empty. We did the racing simulator multiple times as well as the pit crew station; both were fun. There are a lot of exhibits for those that are fans. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable and clearly loved working there.

I like old cars, so it was cool to see vintage cars from when NASCAR first started out. They have a movie room on the first floor, where you can learn about the origins of NASCAR racing. There are several more floors with interactive games/videos. It’s not just for kids or die hard fans. As a history buff/movie fan, it was cool to see and learn. Bought a hat at the gift shop when I was done, for my friend back home.

It's a great experience and has some things to have fun with. The racing sim is very hard but fun. Also the station to change the tire and put gas, I couldn't believe that my wife was actually enjoying doing that. We did it 3 times . Over all very fun experience

What a fantastic experience. One of the friendliest environments I have ever been in. From the front desk to the workers on the floor it’s like they were all trained at Chick fil a. Super high level of customer service at the hall of fame. The exhibits were beautiful and the car simulators were awesome. But the most fun had to be the pit lane simulator where you physically have to do a pit stop on a car. Such a great place to visit I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone

We visited early afternoon on a weekday, no waiting to get in and I recommend you pick a ticket package that best suit your needs. You may not want to take part in all the Halls attractions. We did the simulator and photo with lunch credit package. You also get a $10 speed (gift) shop voucher included. The displaces are beautifully displaced with detailed narration. We enjoyed ourselves.

I am not a Nascar fan, but I did enjoy the museum. The interactive race simulator was so much fun! Very clean, with fun exhibits. My husband thoroughly enjoyed!

Looking back at old pictures then realized I need to tell you to go! I went August 2022. I did not know exactly what to expect, but it exceeded any expectations. It was large, clean, informative, interactive and interesting. Its very well made. A must see in Charlotte.

I'll admit, I'm not a die-hard NASCAR fan, but my visit to the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte was surprisingly enjoyable! From the moment I walked in, I could appreciate the rich history and the excitement that surrounds NASCAR.The exhibits were thoughtfully put together with interactive displays and engaging videos, making it easy for someone like me to learn and get into it. I was especially impressed by the Hall of Honor, which introduced me to the legends of the sport and their incredible stories.Even though I'm not a racing enthusiast, I had a blast with the simulator experiences. It was a unique chance to feel what it's like to be on a NASCAR track, and I found it really fun.The staff members were friendly and happy to share their knowledge, which helped me understand more about the sport. And the gift shop had some cool NASCAR merchandise that even a casual fan like me couldn't resist.So, even if you're not a NASCAR fanatic, the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte can still be a fun and educational experience. It certainly was for me!

I had a great time exploring the history and memorabilia of the Nascar Hall of Fame. Seeing the cars up close and on the banked track of the rotunda, you really get a feel for what it's like being a driver. Upon entry, every ticket holder receives a plastic, credit card sized card that helps you interact with the displays and make it a more personal experience. With the race simulator (for an additional charge) and the pit crew challenge (included in general admission), you get to experience what it's like to sit in the driver seat and be a pit crew member.There are also tons of artifacts on display with a brief story behind the person that wore, drove, owned, or turned a wrench on. With so much to see and learn about, you really need multiple days to explore, but it's also makes a good day trip. Whether you are a Nascar fan or not, it's worth seeing at least once.

We were in town for a conference and I decided to take my little one to check out the cool cars! Let me just say he loved it! He is a big fan of lightning McQueen, so that was a lovely surprise for him!I purchased the number three combo pack and it was definitely worth it! The barbeque beef sandwich was great! You also get a $10 credit for the gift shop which is pretty cool and a free photo! There is the option to buy a second photo for $15.The employees were friendly and it was fun exploring the museum!

I don’t know what kid or adult wouldn’t like this place!! Definitely going back! Well worth the money. I bought tickets online, but there still would have been no wait! Very organized and structured. Bought a package that comes with the simulator, lunch, a certificate to the gift shop and other goodies! Very interactive and educational museum! There’s like 3 or 4 levels to the museum so wear your walking shoes. A theater with a 20 minute show is included you can watch at your leisure.

What a walk through history! The interactive displays, hands on experience and just all different things to do make this place very intriguing and fun! Melha in the store was a joy to work with and very helpful with knowing more of Charlotte! Keep her!!

A truly amazing experience. The architecture of the venue alone is a marvel. The cars, suits, helmets, trophies and other exhibits are wonderfully arranged. Do not miss trying the race simulation in a model car and the pit stop challenge. Something not to miss by any means when in Charlotte

The museum is well done and conveniently located downtown. Many of the exhibits are interactive and provide a look into the history of the sport. Seeing the old trophies, fire suits, and cars is a must do activity for any NASCAR fan.There’s a gift shop and cafe and it’s attached to a Buffalo Wild Wings.

Really cool place if you're either already an avid NASCAR fan or if you have any interest in learning more about the sport and the history of stock car racing in general.There are some amazing cars and relics in here. There was the actual "Hall of Fame" exhibit which will change from year-to-year based on the inductees, but it seems like they also have a different exhibit each year out on the main floor that sits below the "Glory Road" exhibit.Being a Hendrick Motorsports superfan who grew up cheering for Jeff Gordon, the HMS 40th anniversary exhibit was absolutely amazing to see. I spent my first hour or more inside just looking at that. I couldn't have picked a better year to go. It definitely makes you want to keep up with the Hall of Fame and see what new exhibits they have from year-to-year.

Huge place. So much to see and do. So reasonably priced for all you get. Simulators, pit stop challenge and so many more interactive exhibits. We stayed 3 hours but, could have stayed 5. We loved it.

This was a fun little way to spend the afternoon. The museum was not too busy. The simulator was so much fun and worth the extra money for the ticket. Parking was easy. I would go back. Great for all ages.

We bought a combination package. We enjoyed the exhibits. The museum is clean and well organized. The employees are informative and helpful. We enjoyed the simulator. The food in the cafe was really good. Great experience.

I am not a huge NASCAR fan but family is. I went to get some photos and videos to send back home. I left very impressed. I would absolutely go back and experience everything they have again even as a non-fan. Glory Road is very awesome inspiring and the actually Hall is breathtaking. The video they show in the theater tells you everything you need to know on the sport. Definitely worth a visit!

This place is fun for all! Knowledgeable about the sport and even had live simulators to enjoy from racing to pit stop challenges. Recommend getting the package to eat and enjoy free memorabilia and photos with crew or family

The Nascar Hall of Fame is a must-see for any fan. There are so many things to look at, you could easily spend a whole day here. As a Harvick fan, I was super excited to see the 4EVER exhibit they have right now. Admission isn't too expensive and is worth the price. There are several pay to park lots within walking distance. The surrounding area is nice and very clean.

You don't have to get tickets online before you go. The place is very good for the family outing. Give yourself 2-3 hours time frame to stay there, they also have free iRacing there, so as driving simulation inside NASCAR cars. The entire place about 4 levels, you start from the top and walk down. Their gift shop is very good, but it doesn't have various selections of NASCAR drivers' items. They mostly have souvenirs that belong to the place, not drivers. Definitely, I recommend this for myself to visit again and others

Great to visit love the history. The simulator experience is fun too only way it could be better is if kids had their own Sim. And adults had their own so you could get a more realistic experience.

Pretty cool experience. I was able to go through a company party so everything was available for use. The driving simulation was really cool. You first qualify on a machine with a steering wheel and then you get in an actual life size Nascar and race with a screen in front of you. 16 people were able to race each other at once. They also had a tire changing challenge. The whole walkway up goes through all the degrees of the tracks. It was pretty cool. It also had a ton of memorabilia for Nascar fans.

Definitely a bucket list place for any NASCAR fan. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit there. I arrived a little later on a Saturday (after lunch) and it wasn't crowded at all. Lots of history and memorabilia there, stuff going way back.

Even though I'm only a moderate NASCAR fan, and my wife has no love for any motor sport this place is an absolute must visit. The exhibitions are fun and brilliantly done. It's reasonably priced to get in with lots of combinations to make it cheaper.

The right place for people interested in motor sports. Great furnishings and lots of exhibits. The racing simulator is not easy and requires training. Price performance for admission is good.

Best place for inspiration and race car fans. Their display was beautifully done and they speak for the self. I would recommend go spend atleast few mins to read story around it. Overall was very inspiring and motivational visit

Fantastic museum completely different than I was expecting.The cars are very well arranged, clean, all details and information about them with pictures and displays.Information about the roads where they race, angle of the road in all angles. Their car simulator is a must to do for if you want to have the feeling of drive those cars at high speed.They have a theater room to show movies of cars competition.Better yet, they have discounts for seniors.I recommend this place to all ages and gender.

Beautiful facility with kind and welcoming staff. The facility is setup so nicely! You will see and learn all aspects of NASCAR including detailed history. Don't skip the simulator and pit crew challenge. Well worth the price of admission. There is limited street parking but there is an attached parking garage. We went on a weekday (Thursday) and it wasn't busy.

Great place to visit if you're a Nascar fan of any kind that said, overall great place to visit. Even if you are just a car fan, it's well laid out and very interesting.Extremely clean, if you care to eat there the cafeteria is not overpriced and is much faster than trying to eat in Buffalo wild wings which is attached. You can wait there till you're gray-haired and probably never get a table.Parking is just around the corner from the front door and easily accessible to the Hall of Fame

If you're a die hard NASCAR fan who appreciates the history, you'll likely really enjoy a visit to the hall of fame. For me as a casual fan at best, I had a very underwhelming experience. Also, I wouldn't bring kids here, they'll be very bored. The best thing was that all of the workers I encountered were nice and helpful. Everything else I found to be very boring and quite overpriced. The driving simulation was kind of cool, but was quite far from a realistic experience overall.If the cost of admission was half of what they charge, I'd feel a bit more like I got my money's worth. Otherwise, it's just boring and overpriced. Plus you have to pay for parking too.

Was very impressed by the RFID personalization experience with the museum - when you scan your tickets, you are provided a small card with an RFID chip, which when registered allows you to interact with exhibits and even save items from exhibits for a “personalized scrapbook” you can have emailed to you!The museum itself featured exhibits on well known racers and their cars, as well as a neat exhibit on the top floor showing safety advancements over the years. The museum also had lots of interactive experiences, like simulators, and a pit crew challenge!

4.7

(6669)

4.5

(2498)

400 E M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28202, USA

+58 other lists

I purchased a seasonal pass & food pass which I highly recommend. A meal can cost around $18 and that's without a drink. I've been going here for years and my daughters really enjoys it. They have a new section Aeronautica which has some cool rides.

Went with my bestie, it was fun, we walked around and rode the Viper, completely shook us!🤣 not much good food choices, panda express is there but seems to be lacking. It was a good walking park though, and there was also a parade which the kids enjoyed. Not that busy when we went there which was a Sunday.

Family reunion time! We drove in from AK, TN, TX, and NC. The parking was easy and the entry in to the park was simple. Make sure you purchase tickets on line it will save you money and time. There were six of us and we had all different likes and excitement levels. Ages ranged from kid, adulting-teen, adult-with motion sickness issues, and mid-life crazy. 😄 the area was very clean and maintained. I rode nine roller coasters and by far my favorite was the Fury. We also visited the water park and found it equally fun and refreshing. The food was typical fair but it was good. Don’t bring cash, card is the preferred method. However if you do bring cash there are ATM-type machines that will convert you dollars to a card. I found the employees were generally pleasant and some were funny. The overall experience was memorable! I’ll be back if ever in the area again.

We have been to a lot of amusement parks and this one was setup correctly. My kids loved the snoopy land! The staff is amazing to work with and the whole process was simple from start to finish!

Cedar Fair parks are fun, but to bad Fury 325 is down because of cracked support.I'm glad, After Burner still has airplane there. Hint when finished with it can I have it 😉Park needs a Chicken Shack like Kings Island has.I have VIP pass but want a waste of money. Bait and switch when they said soda and snacks. I only saw a water pitcher there. I will never get VIP on my pass next year.Missed Parade that was at 5pm when thinking it was 8pm. Couldn't get info on it inside the park..All in all, I had a great time. See ya in 2024...

A little on the pricey side but if you want to try to save money you can always go to the website and pay for day tickets a day in advance (for the cheaper tickets in the evening.. It looked like if you paid for tickets for 4pm and after a day in advance, you could get tickets for $37.99). We paid about $43.00 (because we purchased tickets for the same day for 4pm and after) per person but it was better than $75.00 or $80.00 per person that they charge if you try go earlier (for us anyways, to each their own). I definitely recommend buying tickets online, especially if you plan to go at 4 or after, I didn't see any ticket booth open to buy tickets). When I called the number, it straight up told me we had to purchase tickets online. Also, be prepared to go through a metal detector if you have anything metallic on you. I highly recommend checking your pockets and purse and leaving anything unnecessary in the car before walking into the park. They will go through everything you have (and dump it all out on the table in front of everyone) to find out what is causing the metal detector to go off. We had fun though. The kids had fun. That's what it's about anyways. We got to enjoy the park and all of its rides and it was open until 9 that evening (well, it was supposed to be but that's another story for another day). Just so you know, parking has to be paid separately as well and it was $30.00. This was on a Thursday (Just mentioning that because I kept seeing people online saying it was $25.00). That's not the price we paid. Just want you all to be able to make an informed decision and still be able to have fun at a price that works for you. Be safe!

My family and I love coming here. We get Gold passes every year so we can go to Scarowinds and WinterFest. It is crowded so I suggest taking a picture of your child with what they are wearing that day incase you might get separated, especially if you have a runner, and I always put my phone number in my kids bag just to make sure.

Fantastic Park. Very clean, and super clean restrooms (which is an oddity). I will note that the food is good all around. They have a lot of GREAT roller coasters. The Fury is wild!We have been here 2 times and have had a blast. We had a minor issue with our Fast Pass but Shane in Guest Services was awesome and took care of us.We will be back soon!

Went for Winter Fest to celebrate New Year's Eve with family. Enjoyed the festive mood, decorations, hot cocoa, and variety of warm beverages. Riding the attractions that were open was fun!

It's a good visit for families with kids and tons of fun!! Recommendation is to use a locker close to the water park, if you plan to go there since you can reuse it after you change.Get the kids measured for easy up the process of getting onto the rides.Check their website about how many tickets are sold and how crowded it might be. 40% is most likely no waiting time at all at most of the rides.

Came here for the first time for Winter fest. Lights were really done well. Copperhead was the best ride they had operating, very fun. Only complaints were that there was no directory of what rides are operational, causing a lot of wandering around. Food was limited as well.

We visited here in the evening. So the entrance admission fee was less than regular. It's the holiday season and pretty chilled at night. Part of the exciting rides were closed, but those roller coaster rides were open. Your teens still can have great exciting fun. For those young children, Snoopy Camp is a good area to impress them. There were also a lot singing/dancing shows to watch. Finally, there was a parade like Disney which brought a perfect end of night. Holiday lighting decorations here is one of the attractions for all visitors.... Merry Christmas and Happy holidays!!

A fun time for all ages, friends, family, & co-workers. Tons to do for all from thrill-seekers to the more calmer individuals. Definitely worth the trip, but be sure to get the season pass and meal plan if you plan on going more than one day, as this will definitely pay for itself.

We had a great time, we arrived early to make sure we avoid the crowd. We got into several lines and by noon the wait time was about an hour. Still we had fun. The park is very nice, clean, the staff is nice, mostly tan by young adults. When we got hungry we ate at the big food court and the food was decent, we got chicken strips and fries. We are definitely coming back

Great place, but they're getting greedy. $30 for parking is ridiculous! Buy tickets online prior to visiting because it's much cheaper.

This visit was for winter fest. Do not go expecting rides very few are running but the lights and magic feeling of Christmas is great try being the kid you know you want to be.we had a blast worth the trip as long as you know what to expect. Also find scrooge and tell him I sent you bet dressed group there and keep a eye out for deer they got loose when we were there

We went for Winter Fest. The park was decorated nicely and I absolutely loved the parade. There were people walking around in costumes of Christmas old. There were performances throughout the park and the times and locations were posted in several locations. We didn't ride while we were there...we just enjoyed the festivities.

Amazing amusement park! Very clean and well kept, staff that we interacted with were all very friendly and helpful. Beautiful decorations for their winter festivities and so many fun things for kids and kids at heart! Everything was easily found and we found the app to be helpful finding locations around the park. Handicap accessible areas and restrooms available.

Haven't been to the park since I was 25..Many years ago!!! It's very well kept,lots of attendants to help find your way around!! The food is very expensive so it's worth getting the meal ticket if your gonna be there all day!!! The rides were just as I remembered!!! Fun and full of excitement!!!!

The best park I have ever been to really nice I enjoyed my time me and my friends my brothers and my family. It’s really good. I would rather buy the tickets online. It’s cheaper as the only thing I would do advance it’s really really nice.

Excellent theme park. Great roller coasters and very good water park. Expensive but there are deals to be had for food and drinks if you buy in advance.

It was excellent! They had plenty of help, security had a presence. Everyone had a great time. The food was outstanding too! I love to eat, so I thought there was plenty of food portioned out. Get the dining package. If you eat twice, you've got your money's worth.

Fun place to be, good for the family, and caters to all ages. We went after 3pm on a Friday, no wait time to enter, and there were short queues for rides. There are lots of food options, too. Only con for me closing early on a Friday 8pm.

Great place for families to visit. They have a large amount of rides for all ages and thrill levels. The water park is awesome and has the latest slides. The wave pool was huge and offered lots of shaded seating. They have plenty of dining options and refreshment stations. I highly recommend the souvenir bottle option for free refills all day. Not to mention Carowinds has some of the top roller coasters in the country.

Terrible experience. Paid a lot of money for myself and 2 grandchildren to get in. Most rides were down and only running intermittently. Not a weather problem. Someone said they were having electrical problems??? Then close down and refund money. See all of the down ride pictures in my view!

Lots of fun for all ages. We purchased tickets online and added the meal and drinks for the entire day. Be careful with the food if you are planning to dine later, while it states that food is available up to the time the park closes, we found that most of the "restaurants" were closed an hour earlier.

Carowinds is a great place to have fun on roller coasters, swing rides, and water slides you're in for a good time. My experience was somewhat hampered because the Fury was down for the whole day. I also recommend getting a season pass as well as a all season drink pass.

I absolutely love this park! The park is beautiful with a huge variety of rides. The majority of the coasters were great. My favorite coaster was Fury 325! We ate at several restaurants and the food was good. I can't wait to come back!

We enjoyed almost all the rides and they were tons of fun! A couple things the park can do to make this trip more enjoyable is to add more shaded areas in lines, as well as fans that blow fresh air to virtually every person/area in line. The heat/humidity was awful and waiting in the hot sun was unbearable, especially in lines where loose articles/extra items (i.e. hats, shades, umbrella) and backpacks were not allowed. I understand the summer heat in the Carolinas is always horrible, but it can be made comfortable for amusement park goers. In the meantime, recommend going in the spring or fall months, not in the summer ones.

Dear Mr Carowinds. Today was spring break and may daughter who is six almost seven and I thought this would be a fun place to adventure. We got to the park just after open. It was easy to get in. Although 30 dollars to park was almost the same price of a third ticket. We entered the park quick and were ready to ride. The park was very clean. My mini me is 46 inch. Which was just under the 48 inch mark. Seems to be a gap in the small kids rides to the big kids 58 inch tall. But we did find a lot to ride. Four roller coasters, three that were age, appropriate and one that was for smaller kids. We did find about seven other things to ride. The haunted house was fun. It was a bit extreme on the prices of food. $17 for a piece of pizza was really pricey. But we did manage to have a great day. At the very end of the day we got one the gear spin. Sophia was running it. She closed the line right after we got in line at 8:02. She was amazing and made our day. As we got on she talked the ride up and made the last ride of the day so much fun. She went far and beyond someone who just enjoyed their job. We did have an amazing day. It would have just been a little been in a year or two when she can ride more of the bigger coasters. See you again in a couple years and thanks for the memories.

We were able to go pretty early in the morning, before many people were there and the lines got too long. Every ride had about a 15 minute wait once it got a little more busy. The food places there were good and they have cute souvenirs. The rides are all amazing and so much fun!!!

Pretty fun park. Went on a Thursday in June and there was practically no lines for rides. Didn't go to the water park side. Lots of roller coasters. Tickets are discounted online.

If you want to have fun, do look at the weather forecast. It was so hot, we ended up not going on as many rides as we had intended.Water is free/complimentary at any food place.Go early to avoid long wait lines.

Winterfest (New Years Eve celebration) was great! Our family had an amazing time. There were lots of people, but lines were not long for the rides that were open, and hot chocolate and cider were amazing and kept you warm. We enjoyed the rides, the food, the parade, and the live bands! (No issues, and it appeared that everyone was having a good time)We have season passes, so being able to enjoy a year-round experience is always fun for our family. You can't go wrong buying a season pass if you live in the area.Great way to end 2023!🎉🎊🎉🎊🎉

Please share the calendar of school events. Yesterday was completely slammed with school groups. I'm all for kids having fun but these kids were out of control. Cussing, line jumping, rudeness.. Many were so disrespectful. And workers had no control.. way too little chaperones! Stay away from Fridays in May!

Visited weekend before July 4 and still was not super busy.I suggest getting the fast pass and the food pkg.ended up saving us a ton of money and time.Food was really good. We walked on almost every ride with the fast pass.

We have visited this amusement park on two separate times. My family and I really enjoy the park this time around. The water park was a lot of fun and then we visited Camp Snoopy which our children enjoyed throughly. Two complaints: there was hair and bandaids in the lazy river which made me want to jump out. Totally disgusting. Secondly, the bathrooms were unbearable especially the changing rooms on the harbor side. It was so wet and dirty. They should invest in attendants to monitor the changing/ bathrooms so that it’s hygienic. I didn’t have my phone in the water harbor to take pictures however I took pics of my kids in Camp Snoopy… they had a blast!

Nice clean park. Food is food and rides are top notch. Our home park is cedar point but we like to make this a yearly trip.

I visited the place during the opening weekend. It was a fun thrilling experience. Since the park wasn't that busy, there weren'tany long queue for the rides, so was able to go on all the thrilling roller coasters. Fury 325, thunder strike, night hawk are my top 3! I also tried the ripcord and it was an amazing experience!

There was a very long line to enter the park. Once we got inside, most of the wait times for the rides were under 20 mins. We really enjoyed the roller coasters. We were looking forward to riding on the Fury, but it was closed. I also miss the Rip Roarin Rapids ride.

Great experience. I think the rides are amazing and the park is clean with friendly staffed. I do think it is a bit overpriced.

Had a great day (a long 10 hours for me) 95 degrees and no rain. We brought 4 kids that had a great time. Very little wait time, they rode several rides over and over because there was no line. Paid the extra for drink wrist bands but went back to the car to have lunch we brought in a cooler. About 6 hours on the rides and 3 hours in the water park. Still over $400 for a 1 day visit for 6 of us.

4.4

(29772)

4.0

(3499)

North Carolina, USA

+44 other lists

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is fabulous! We absolutely love it here and have been visiting regularly for 10+ years. The animal variety is second to none. The layout of the zoo flows very nice to ensure you can enjoy each stop to see all that it offers during your visits. The staff do a great job of keeping the zoo very clean and safe. They are very, attentive, and provide excellent service every time we are there. The expansions keep coming and continue improving and evolving this Zoo into one of the best visits you and your family can make.If I was going to provide a critique, I would recommend more fans through out the park. South Carolina (especially in the midlands) can get very hot and humid during the summer months and that heat can make visiting the park a less than pleasant experience if you are not use to the heat down here (heck even if you are 😂). More fans through out the park would add to the already amazing atmosphere and help create some more much needed cool zones through out.One last add. Please visit during the Halloween and Christmas events. They are fantastic and highly recommended. For adults the Brew at the Zoo is one of the best attractions around. Enjoy!

This was an amazing experience! The $5 parking is worth it if you are wanting to go to the botanical gardens/splash pad first or last on your visit. The prices were fair for adults at $26 for how big of a zoo it is! There were some of every animal including giraffes you can feed, a kangaroo exhibit you can walk through, and sea lions you can stand next to. Animals included monkeys, gorillas, lions, tigers, snakes, birds of all kinds, goats, alpacas, bears, otters, tortoises, penguins, tropical fish, jellyfish, sea turtles, koalas, sloths, and so much more. I even tried out the ropes course within the zoo (requires shoes w/ heel strap) which was priced at $7 for non-members. It was a good ropes course for the price! I do recommend having a parent or older sibling go up with a younger child if they're new to ropes courses. The height can be a fear factor and the way the harness is attached to the top of the course can make it harder for smaller kids to reach in order to move around the course. As an adult, it's a fun add-on especially if you're looking for some more thrill with your zoo experience. The botanical gardens were gorgeous! They were located right next to the $5 parking and the tram. Overall, I really enjoyed visiting the Riverbanks Zoo and all of the staff here were polite and happy.

Wild Nights was awesome! Really looked great from the front gate fungi/coral to the animated creatures. Went on Black Friday with family in town for the holidays. Highly recommend buying tickets in advance as another group mentioned it was already sold out when we arrived right after 5pm. The kids loved that the train and carousel were both running.The person at the gate was very helpful as we had multiple ticket purchases across several confirmation emails. Would definitely go again.

A place where families can come and witness animals from around the world in a protected and safe environment. The Riverbanks Zoo rescues animals from around the globe to rehabilitate them and care for them with such love. The zoo is filled with a variety of animals ranging from tigers, lions, gorillas, and birds from all countries. This place is clean, family friendly, and caters to all ages. If you're ever in Columbia, SC, I would definitely recommend this place for a fun family outing. If you wish to take friends, you can purchase yearly passes that give you 4-8 guest passes, depending on your choice of yearly pass.

The zoo is well maintained, clean, and organized.There’s a $5 dollar fee for the parking and they have plenty of parking spaces.You can book in advance “behind the scenes” to pet some of the animals. (Check their website).If you go early in the morning you can feed the giraffes.There are plenty of restrooms around, some of them smell bad and are messy, speciallyIf the zoo is pretty busy.The bird part smells bad but is just the smell of the birds. Just be aware.They rent strollersGift shop availableThey have photographers at the entrance with a giant green screen.They have an interactive farm for kids, a carousel, and more.Food and drinks from outside are not allowed.

Visiting the zoo isn't usually at the top of my list when I travel to a new city, but in Columbia, it's a must-see and far exceeded my expectations. I enjoyed exploring the wide variety of animals and especially loved feeding the birds. The diverse collection of reptiles was fascinating, though I’m still not entirely comfortable with the snakes. The zoo is also connected to a beautiful botanical garden and has a splash park for kids, making it a great spot for a family day out. Overall, it was a fun and enjoyable experience.

The zoo was awesome! There were a lot of nice animals, and the enclosures/habitats were more than adequate for the animals. Healthy animals! My favorite places to visit had the flamingos and the lions. They had a grizzly bear, which I had not seen before. The botanical gardens were nice, as well. Small, but nice. There is a tram that takes you from the zoo to the garden. It took me and my partner about 3.5 hours to do the zoo and the garden.

I visited her in the spring, and it was fantastic. We enjoyed feeding the giraffes. We were able to get up close to the gorillas even though their enclosure is going through renovations. I loved the sea lion exhibit. The aquarium had just recently opened back up and was super crowded. We were not able to check that out, but it looked super nice from the outside. My daughter and nephew loved all the activities this zoo offers. This zoo is very well kept, and the animals looked happy and healthy.

Went this past week with my nieces (1 yo) and they had a blast. There are lots of exhibits and we saw all of them and stayed for about 2 hours total. We were able to see all of the animals except the tiger(s). My nieces especially loved the aquarium and the penguin exhibit. We got to see them performing maintenance/cleaning in one of the aquarium tanks which was pretty cool. Also got to see a couple of young gorillas nursing. I would recommend bringing some bug spray and sunscreen. There’s a lot of tree cover and canopies at exhibits providing shade throughout the park but there are also areas in direct sunlight at many of the exhibits. The park overall was very clean and there was lots to do. Also recommend going during the week/off season as the temperature is cooler so you’re able to see more animals and it is WAY less busy. There were maybe a max of 5 other people at an exhibit with us. Did not see or visit the garden this time, but definitely have plans to visit next time. This was our 2nd time making the trip to this zoo and we will definitely be back!

Beautiful and spacious zoo. There are unique animals that live here, that are not at a typical zoo. Lots of shade to keep you cool while viewing the animals. And very, very clean!The enclosures have lots of space and the animals seemed happy and energetic, compared to other zoos I’ve visited. There are friendly zookeepers posted around the zoo to share interesting information on the animals. They were well informed and were able to answer all the questions we asked. My favorite part was visiting the Kangaroos. You are able to actually go inside the enclosure (while staying on the path) to view the kangaroos from a short distance without any fence or obstruction blocking your view. The experience felt up close, but was a safe distance away.We enjoyed the trek up the trail to the garden through dense trees that felt like it’s own separate space from the zoo. The garden is well taken care of and has a calming atmosphere. We then rode the tram back down the trail where we were brought back to the zoo. It is nice the facility offers the tram at no extra cost.Overall, we had a great time! This is probably my favorite zoo now.

I visited with my kids here during the Christmas holidays. The weather was pleasant.There was no wait line at the ticket counter.The charges for kids and adults are almost the same.It's not very big zoo but there are lots of animals and well maintained.There are more than one lion, tiger, orangutan and many more.There are different animal talk times for more information.With special bands you can go near few animals like giraffe, feed birds and play games.Sometimes the layout gets confusing but it's small enough to trace the steps back.The alligator 🐊 was not there.There are lots of picnic tables.I could go near kangaroo 🦘.Zoo rangers are always nearby and helpful with information or directions.There are many eating outlets.It's a good to spend with kids.

The zoo was pretty big, and had a good selection of animals. Compared to other zoos I've visited, it was ok. Animals were on the smaller size, and the one grizzly bear we saw looked like he had mange (fur was patchy in several places). The plus for me was that you can take the free tram to the botanical gardens which was included in the ticket price. That was my favorite part. Walking through the gardens was a nice outing, and there were places with seating, food, activities, and a splash park for kids. Overall I enjoyed it.

Very nice zoo. The animals seemed well cared for, and there were a lot of attractions. The price is also reasonable as you could easily spend 4-6 hours looking around. Definitely buy tickets online and save some money (free parking with online purchase).

We've been to several zoos and aquariums around the south, and this zoo is by far the cleanest zoo we've been to. Workers were actively cleaning the animals' areas and trending to their needs. The caretakers were interactive with the animals, and all creatures seemed very relaxed and happy, none anxious or pacing like in some zoos. The animals were very well taken care of. The gorilla's were personable and playful. The diver in the sea tank was petting the fish and playing with them while holding and feeding the sharks. The announcers were informative. There were several areas to cook down as well. The entire place is worth the drive.

I dropped in unexpectedly, looking to get some steps in. Lots of trails and flora. Many places to sit and take a load off.You can walk from the garden to the zoo, it's only 3/10 mile. Zoo was a bit more crowded, but pretty cool....and they sell beer 😁.Check out Saluda Ruins, BEAUTIFUL walk and an interesting story. I was there for about 2 hours and got in my 10k steps.

Well worth the visit! I went with my wife and 2 kiddos, oldest is 9. We really liked the aquarium with a wide variety of up close exhibits. The ocean exhibit had numerous "Coming Soon" attractions. Note that to ride the carousel or do the climbing wall, you must buy extra tickets like at a carnival, but the prices are not ridiculous. When we went, the carousel cost $2 per ride. We also let our daughter try the high ropes obstacle course. This was another fee ($7 per person) but well worth it. Mom and Dad enjoyed the bridge and trails to the botanical gardens, which was included with the zoo admission. Great family outing!

Free zoo map is available. I was able to see all the animals so close. Was also able to feed a giraffe and brush the goats. They are very cute. Don't forget to get some merchandises too on the way to the parking lot.

I've always loved the zoo, and now I get the joy of taking my girls. I do suggest a membership as it pays for itself and tickets are pricey but it's worth it. We usually take snacks with us and we have the souvenir cups. We love doing boo at the zoo and the lights at the zoo

Such a great place to bring the family to! The kids loved seeing the animals and learning about all them. Love their aquarium area too! So neat to see them all and watch the kids eyes light up with joy over seeing how they live. If you haven’t gone yet I’d strongly suggest going asap!

Beautiful zoo, kept clean, prices are as you'd expect going to any big park these days. Good food variety, as well as snacks, drinks. Tons of animal exhibits, overall great for the fam & everyone!Great parking options.

Took advantage of the last free Friday for this month. First time at the zoo and was not disappointed. Only spent about 2 1/2 hours but really enjoyed. I pretty much stuck to one side of the zoo this time and will explore the other half later on. Highly recommend. The only thing I wish they had was more food options but I’m not complaining because i know how that goes but I went prepared! Took my own food!

The new Komodo dragon exhibit is awesome! Took my niece and she enjoyed feeding the birds and the giraffes. There’s so much at this zoo. It is such a great time. The staff is so friendly too! You can tell they really care and are knowledgeable about the animals.

This was a great zoo to visit. The animals were out, and you were able to see them easily. The rain made some hide and made some more active. The staff here was extremely friendly, it was also great to be able to buy tickets in advance and a refillable souvenir cup (which we refilled 4 times during our visit at the end of July in the heat. Would recommend planning ahead and bringing ponchos if rain is a possibility because you can keep moving and still see the entire zoo. Highly recommend visiting this zoo and the Botanical Gardens, which are equally amazing. I would suggest riding the tram to get to the gardens as it is 3/10 mile uphill.

We had a great time,animals were cool food was good and wait times were a bit long on a few things but other wise it was great, it’s very nice and nothing is to far apart so it’s not that bad when walking from place to place extra things were very affordable being 2 dollars a person just so you know the zoo does a coin system kind of so if you want to do an extra and you had 3 people it would 6 dollars with each coin being 1 dollar a piece,extras were very cool with the extras being feeding giraffes,feeding birds and other things. I would recommend getting to the zoo as early as possible because it gets crowded very fast you could get to see more things actually moving and running around and that’s just a few things to keep in mind.

God have us an absolutely perfect day for our visit! It was 75°, partly cloudy, and a gentle breeze. Although it was fairly busy, everyone moved along through all the exhibits quickly. I'd have to say that our group's highlights were feeding the Coconut Lorikeet, walking among the kangaroos, and visiting the botanical garden (took the tram up). It's a great place for kids of all ages. The garden has quite a few play areas of all different themes and many water features. The kids were having a blast in the water activities. They even have a cabana for bathing suit changes. It's a "must see" if you're in the area. We'll be visiting again in the future.

This was a nice zoo for a city of this size. The attendants at the kangaroos and flamingos were very nice answering my questions about the animals. Kid friendly. Guests should be aware that during hot weather or middle of the day many of the larger animals are not very active. The aquatic collections and monkeys are really good.

Well laid out zoo! Alot of things were under construction when we were there on June 1 2024. Lines were long to feed giraffes. I recommend going in afternoon around 1 pm. All the animals were just getting up then, it seems. The signs could be done better. It's a little difficult to use the map considering how big it is. Also recommend eating lunch at an odd time. There's quite a line if you decide to eat at one of the restaurants inside the zoo.

we love this place! this is my fourth time at the riverbanks zoo, and it's never failed to please. easy access, plenty of parking, affordable ticket prices (I recommend getting the extended bracelet deal, feeding the giraffes is part of it, and it's really worth it). the animals seem to be well taken care of, and if you go earlier in the day, you'll be able to see everyone waking up and hanging out (the otters were especially excited for the sunshine and company). definitely dress comfy and bring plenty of water! there's lots of shade and several drinking fountains, but it was nice to have our own on hand. this was our first time making it up to the gardens, and that was also really worth the trip up. the waterfall splash area is great for the kiddos in the heat. I believe there's a lot on the west side where you can park and the access is much easier for the gardens and play area. all around great time!

My first time here and brought my grand daughter from AZ. We bought tickets online and arrived 10 min to open. Once it opened I rented one of their electric scooter being disabled. My grand daughter and I spent the whole day there. Food was a bit pricey 2 all Americans and 1 drink 31 bucks. However they were absolutely delicious. We did some of the extra activities having purchased an explore more pass. We both had fun. The exhibits and habitats were very nice and just about all of the animals were out and active. We even caught them feeding the otters. It reminded me of a smaller version of the Phoenix zoo, only with out a touch tank or elephants. During lunch we heard the lion roar which was exciting. Over all I would recommend.

Came to the zoo in the morning. Most animals were out as breakfast was being served to some of the animals. It was pleasant that the weather was cool, so a light coat or long sleeves did the trick. By the time it was 11 a.m., it warmed up. Not very crowded, it was nice to walk through and take some time to see the animals starting their day. Since it was 9:30 am when I got in, not many food/drink places were available until closer to 11, so I purchased a bottle of water from one of the vending machines and kept exploring. If you're looking for a slower pace to venture, I recommend the morning, I enjoyed it.

"Love taking the kids here! Awesome zoo with aquarium and aviaries. Large habitats are great but animals can be shy. Park lacked water due to a break on a hot day, $4 for water bottles is steep. Offering cheap bottles until boil mandate lifted would've helped. Kids enjoyed feeding birds and the sky high safari was a highlight!"

I would recommend getting here EARLY and leaving before 1-2pm. It gets extremely busy after lunch time, but aside from that I had a wonderful time! I had to bring my service dog with me and the staff were respectful and understanding! There are some places you aren’t allowed to go with a service animal but that is understandable and totally fine! Bathrooms were kept clean and smelled fine, there wasn’t trash or debris everywhere. The animals confinements looked clean and well taken care of which was a favorite of mine! I will say it took a while to get our food when we went up to a food truck. This was at lunch time and the place was getting pretty crowded by then. I had an absolute blast here and will definitely come back.

Very cool, lots to do! We spent 4 hours here and didn't make it to everything they had! Very fun family experience! We went to the gardens, too. They had an amazing arrangement of plants and beautifully organized gardens. This place is excellent for children and adults! There are vendors around the place with food, drinks (adult kinds included), and souvenirs none of which had a long line when we went to them. Tickets were cheaper online than at the gate when we went!

Riverbank zoo is a all day adventure for the family! I recommend buying tickets online as somedays it's packed here. Always building new and exciting exhibits for the animals. This is definitely a all day trip for all ages. Many many animals to see and multiple locations thay are indoors and cooled when you get too hot. There is also petting zoo areas and small rides like a train and carousel for the little ones. They do sell food and drinks there but they are very very expensive. We bring food and eat it outside on the benches then go back inside.

Riverbanks Zoo is always a fun day for the kids. Even after multiple visits, it never gets old. A great way for the kids to get their energy out. They absolutely love it when Waterfall Junction is open and love the giraffe feeding, too! The grounds and gardens are always beautiful!

It was a great trip. There were a lot of animals and fun facts to go with them. We purchased the refillable cups, which was a great addition to help us get thru the park in the hot summer sun. The people we encountered were pleasant and happy to help.

Went for first time on Memorial day. For mother's, there is a nursing room by the entrance. Staff is polite and helpful, and there's is food and drinks throughout the park. The park is very walkable, however we didn't explore the botanical garden due to the long walk. Great for families, stroller accessible, and indoor areas with A/C. Recommend showing up closer to opening time for best parking. Also you can rent double or single strollers from the gift shop. Didn't see that advertised so figured I would let you know. Would come back!

This is a great Zoo. Downside is make sure you get the wristbands to actually participate in feeding the 🦒 and doing a good amount of things the kids will want to do. Downside was we didn't see the large tortoise or many monkeys. There were no cats available to view either as a lot of exhibits were being renovated. The food is definitely not great, everything costs so much these days. Expect to spend at least $160 for a few hours and 2 people. Clean, well staffed and easy to find.

Here visiting for the weekend and came on a Friday. Really enjoyed this zoo! I think it is very kid friendly and has a lot of activities for them to do, not just see the animals. We came at a good time (10 am) so most of the animals were pretty active. We enjoyed seeing the reptiles and Gorillas the most. It was definitely busy that day due to many schools having field trips to the zoo. They only really had snacks around the park, which is expected at a zoo. I do recommend doing to Tuskers if you real food while visiting though. We also really enjoyed walking the Garden trails. I highly recommend checking out this zoo!

Riverbanks zoo was more than I expected. The animals seem to be very healthy and well kept. Great place to visit. The trail to the gardens is very peaceful. The gardens itself. Stunning. If you buy tickets online the parking is free. If you buy tickets in person parking $5 per car.

The zoo was beautiful, it's a smaller zoo, but has a large botanical garden. I love that they had an aquarium on sight with fish and reptiles. They also had sea lions, otters, and different monkeys. They had lions, tigers, and a petting zoo. The food options weren't very plentiful, but since it was a smaller zoo I can understand that. It was a great visit.

Other than the number of people, we had a great time. The staff was nice and all the animals were out. Can't wait to go on a weekday and be able to take our time watching the animals.

We got there at 1pm and had enough time to stop by most the exhibits, but many of the animals were sleeping. I'd recommend getting there earlier so you can go back to see the animals you missed on the first round. The zoo itself was not very big, so you can easily make a couple laps. The parking lot was hectic when we got there (1pm on a Saturday), but once we got past the entrance, we found many open spots, while others were fighting for closer parking.

Very well put together Zoo and Gardens. There is a lot of various animals to see, such as gorillas, giraffes, kangaroos, grizzly bear, sea lions and so forth. I recommend you bring some water for your walk around this zoo you will be doing a lot of walking especially if you want to walk across the pedestrian bridge.There are a couple different options you can take to get to and from the Zoo side and the Botanical Garden side. One way is taking the Woodland Trail beginning on the garden side. Next would be taking the walking path that runs along the Tram Road it is rather steep. Finally is the Tram with are two Ford Super Duty Pickups with three “wagons” attached behind each pickup it will take you to and from the Zoo side and the Garden side. There however is usually a wait for the Tram. We chose to walk the path along the Tram road.This Zoo was extremely crowded. It is probably best if you try to go on a weekday. We went on a Saturday it was extremely busy. I highly recommend checking out the gift shop and buying a souvenir. This is one of the best Zoos I have been to.

This place is BIG. The last time I had been to Riverbanks, it was nowhere near as big and developed as it is today. In fact, it was only the Riverbanks Zoo, no garden included. There are multiple packed parking lots, but even having to park far away, the walk to the front gate wasn’t terrible, and parking is FREE. Whoever thought to build that bridge over the parking lot with elevators, bless you! This zoo reminds me of a mini Animal Kingdom at Disney. It’s setup like theme park. There’s music playing, lots of staff, the enclosures are well kept, and there’s so much going on in every direction. I went on a random Saturday and it was filled with families enjoying the day. There are lots of food and beverage options (I noticed that you CAN bring your own water bottle), and I loved the tram service that takes you from the main park to the botanical gardens. The gardens aren’t as impressive as I’d hoped, but they still give you something different to do. One thing that was slightly inconvenient is that the staff hands you a map when you walk in, which is great, but the map isn’t oriented to where you are at the beginning of the park. I found myself having to turn the map upside down to get the map to line up correctly to where I was when starting at the front of the park. I really wish they’d fix that, because you’re never “right side up” until you’re working your way from the back of the park to the front/main exits. There are some really cool interactive areas for kids like a splash pad and large open area where kids and run and let off energy, a sky rope course, and giraffe feeding. I saw online that there are other private experiences you can pay for as well. It’s a fun day if you’re looking to get outside and keep the kids entertained, or even if you’re solo like me and just looking for something safe and wholesome to do. Took me about 3 hours to get through without rushing. I’ll definitely be taking family members that come to visit.

4.7

(20579)

4.5

(2966)

500 Wildlife Pkwy, Columbia, SC 29210, USA

+80 other lists

Lovely grounds. You pull into the gravel parking lot and there is a Cafe/market to the left. Please know that is not the only place to grab a bite. You can access this, as well as the gift shop, prior to your paid entrance. We opted for a tour of the house for an additional $15pp. Not sure if I would do that again. We were maybe in there 15 minutes....maybe. it's self guided but there are volunteers to tell stories or answer questions. If you are expecting a grand southern plantation mansion, this is not it. Its a small 2 story home. The first thing you see upon entering the plantation is the large reflecting pond. Very beautiful. The next thing you'll notice is the livestock running amuck. Namely sheep. So be careful where you walk. 😉 they do have a lovely dining room. It was a very nice plantation. Lots of grounds to explore. Everyone was very nice. Just not that grand southern home. Not sure the livestock gets the best care. Which is why I gave it 4 stars.

We visited Middleton in late September 2022. Granted, hurricane Ian provided atypical weather, but in general, it’s probably not the best time to visit. Little to nothing was in bloom. The grounds were well kept and people were friendly and helpful. There were a few animals freely roaming - a handful of sheep and some swans. They had horse stables but nothing super interactive. There are some small buildings to showcase how the enslaved lived, but it’s not very detailed. The grounds had easy walking paths - mostly sand-based so if you are wearing sandals, know you’ll get a littledusty. There’s a restaurant on site which is nice. The beyond the fields tour … wasn’t a tour. You gather around under a tree, sit on benches and listen to a historian explain the enslaved conditions. It was informative, but different than how it was presented. There is a restroom, gift shop and plant shop in the parking area. It’s not a must-see for me. We spent about 2.5 hours here.

Absolutely gorgeous location. The oak trees are stunning, the gardens are lovely to stroll through, and I love a history lesson. We went to the restaurant last week and enjoyed the drive out, delicious food and cocktails and friendly and helpful staff. Shout out to Maggie who helped us make memorable dish selections. Looking forward to coming back later this fall for a wine stroll. I went last year and enjoyed it so much, I am coming back with girlfriends! I would recommend it as a date or as a nice evening with friends.

This place is just stunning. The landscapes and wildlife (birds, butterflies..)are all so amazing! Walking around feels so relaxing and refreshing. Even the restaurant is great for a tourist place! Can't wait to come back to visit again in different seasons.

Restaurant had a very good steak, but the locally made cinnamon ice cream, I honestly cannot stop thinking about it. The view outside this restaurant, although "wild" not tamed, alligators were ALL OVER THE PROPERTY, was Southern thick farmland and just spectacular. The property tour was very neat and the history was rich and interesting. The Inn was very different and unique, rooms had ceiling to floor windows showing the lush grounds. An interesting property worth the visit.

Breathtaking! This place was the highlight of our honeymoon. The cured gardens and ponds were like a dream. The staff are all very helpful and know their stuff or will send you to someone who does. What a pleasant and enjoyable day. Give yourself a whole day to soak in the history and experience of this estate. Enjoy!

Beautiful grounds and house. Wonderful restaurant on property with absolutely amazing food. House tour was very informative as were the historical interpreters around the grounds. Very relaxing and serene surroundings.

Middleton Place is really special. First the staff are very helpful. And they are easy to find. Everything is well organized & with the map, it's not hard to get around. The grounds are beautiful and peaceful. There are plenty of beaches to set and enjoy the views. It's nice the restaurant is on the grounds. Having a place to set, cool off and relax helps so much.

Great historical place to visit. Beautiful landscapes and the old buildings are amazing. Bring bottled water as it was hot a d humid and there is a lot of walking but, worth every minute of it.

Absolutely beautiful! Loved getting to walk around and explore the gardens- there were tons of free garden tours or other guides that you could listen to- to learn more information about. But overall it was such a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. It’s pretty far North Charleston- and tons of walking- we got there around 9:30am and didn’t get done until 12:45pm- so allocate for a good chunk of time here!

Absolutely loved it! Amazing grounds and scenery. The house tour was really cool, lots of history in the building. The restaurant waa nice, I didn't eat there, but it smelled amazing. Had a couple drinks at bar, beat Old Fashioned I have had in years! Huge shout out to Colby H.....kudos buddy!

We booked a tour van out to the estate which included transportation, tour of house and lunch. Self guided tour of grounds and gardens in between the timed tour and lunch.Beautiful place and well preserved house with interesting articles from the Middletons. Gardens are beautifully maintained. All of the staff were extremely helpful and kind. A must if visiting Charleston.

This is a lovely place to spend the day. We went specifically to see the Middleton Oak. The ticket agent was helpful with directions to get to the oak on the shortest route. The grounds are lovely with lots of wooded, shady paths. We saw swans in the reflecting pond and alligators in the flooded rice fields, which my daughter was very excited about. The two gift shops are very nice and well stocked with a variety of items of different price points.

Visiting from Georgia and this was such a fun outing! Bought student tickets online, quick and easy. The parking is good. The whole estate is very large and worth the price. There are some small trails around the swamp, some by the water, some around the garden. It is all well maintained and beautiful. We were not able to attend any of the tours but there are plenty scheduled throughout the day. The livestock here are very nice and obviously well taken care of. The chickens ran up to us expecting food, which kind of startled my partner. I loved the whole experience here. Though I do recommend coming when the heat of summer isn’t in full affect, we were dripping sweat by the time we were done here in July.

Middleton has beautiful gardens and grounds along the Ashley River. You can find period reenactment of many of the trades that used to exist on the plantation, along with animals that would have been present during the Middleton family's residency. It has also been the set for movies, such as "The Patriot."The Foundation that runs Middleton does an excellent job maintaining the property and in recent years has been very open about the tragic reality that the Middleton family owned hundreds of enslaved people. It seems they are trying to do their part to preserve history and acknowledge the failings of the past.

Really beautiful and well-maintained gardens which was so peaceful and serene. Special shoutout to the tour guides Eloisa (for the garden tour) and Gary Finch (for the Beyond the Fields tour) who were so passionate and did such an amazing and engaging job with the complimentary tours! Really loved the amazing nature views and animals on the plantation too and had such a great time. Would definitely recommend for all nature and animal lovers! 🥰🌷🍀

Middleton Place is an absolute marvel of natural beauty! 😍❤️The breathtaking landscapes left me in awe, making every corner a picture-perfect moment. Strolling through the gardens, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of admiration for the family behind its preservation. Their dedication and foresight in maintaining such a stunning estate are truly commendable. It's a place where history and nature intertwine seamlessly, leaving visitors like myself with a profound sense of respect and wonder.🤩

Went on a Wednesday night when they were having one of their annual wine walks. Four stations with a red and a white wine as well as a cheese board and finger sandwiches at each station. The grounds were beautiful, not a lot of colorful flowers, but lots of greenery. The ponds had alligators and turtles, made for a magical night. Highly recommend.

I have been to Middleton multiple times over the years. It has beautiful gardens that you can get lost in. Don't look at the pics here. Just get out and see it. I went to a Creative mornings event that was hosted here and didn't pay but there is usually a fee. There is a cute garden center where you can buy plants, but the big draw is the incredible southern landscape. Enjoy!

My wife and I went here for our 30th anniversary. Even though it was hot we had a great time walking the gardens. We had lunch in the restaurant where the food is very good. I highly recommend spending the day here.

Amazing plantation with knowledgeable guides and tons of history. We visited early October and the weather was spectacular. Did Beyond the Fields and Guided Garden Tour. Both were included in the admission price. Ate lunch in the restaurant which was wonderful. Our wait staff was engaging and attentive. (No tax on the bill!) Learned so much about slavery and history of the plantation. The trees alone were worth the visit. One was 1,000 years old! I highly recommend.

Incredible tour with lots to do! My husband and I spent 6 hours walking around the beautiful property, ate an incredible lunch and toured the main house. So many beautiful things to look at and a lot of rich history. Make sure to say hello to Arthur, the resident stable cat!

Magnificent! You could spend all day here and still want to come back for more. The volunteers there are very knowledgeable and helpful, you can tell they love being there. A ton of history to absorb there. Animals are friendly and there is no shortage of picture opportunities. Restaurant on site is good but a little pricey.

What a wonderful place to visit. It has great trails throughout the property, and it is so peaceful and beautiful. It is truly a step back in time. I loved the trails that were bordering the Ashley River.... phenomenal! A huge Osprey dove down, caught a fish, and flew right by us. So cool! We did not do the house tour, but I was perfectly content outside with the beautiful topography and interacting with all the animals, most excellent visit!

Beautiful ❤️ and Natural Surroundings. Please check Flower Blossoms season and you will enjoy it.Yes, live alligator 🐊 all around the place.

Huge property, nicely laid out walking tour of the gardens and working areas. The day we were here, they were doing guided golf cart tours of the rice field.There is an extra cost to see the home on this site. I would suggest going earlier in the day rather than later due to heat during this late spring and summer.

Great way to spend the afternoon in Charleston area. This place was brimming with history but had enough to keep all ages occupied. I have 4 kids aged 12-17 and they really enjoyed the grounds. The house tour is an addition that added a lot of context. They have numerous guided tours on the grounds themselves including a garden tour and a stable tour. Beautiful place and worth the trip.

4.7

(2616)

4.5

(4416)

4300 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414, USA

+75 other lists

Such an amazing place to walk around and have a nice evening stroll. Lots of benches to sit down and take a moment to relax. Beautiful fountains (including the famous Pineapple fountain) down here! The boardwalk is right next to the water and leads all the way to the water taxi pickup. The grove of trees is like walking through a green tunnel, especially gorgeous close to sunset with the suns rays penetrating the leaves.

Here is a Google traveler review for Joe Riley Waterfront Park:Pros:Beautiful waterfront location with stunning views of the Cooper RiverLarge, open spaces with plenty of room to walk, run, or bikeSeveral playgrounds and splash pads for kidsPicnic areas with grills and tablesPublic restroomsFree parkingCons:Can get crowded during peak timesNo shade in some areasNot much shade for picnickingNo food or drink vendors on-siteOverall:Joe Riley Waterfront Park is a great place to relax, enjoy the outdoors, and get some exercise. It's a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, so be prepared for crowds. If you're looking for a quiet place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, this might not be the park for you. But if you're looking for a beautiful, well-maintained park with plenty of activities to keep you busy, then Joe Riley Waterfront Park is definitely worth a visit.Rating: 4 out of 5 starsDate of visit: June 21, 2023Time of visit: 10:00 AMWeather: Sunny, 75 degrees FahrenheitOverall impression: I really enjoyed my visit to Joe Riley Waterfront Park. The views of the Cooper River are amazing, and there is something for everyone to enjoy. I would definitely recommend this park to anyone visiting Charleston.

One of my favorite points to visit. The tree-shaded alley with plenty of vintage, original benches, the waterfront promenade, the Pineapple fountain, the pier with covered swing benches, the front entrance fountain to play with, live musicians entertaining for kind donation. Great place for people and nature watching.

A staple must do on your Charleston visit!Enjoy the park with trails under oaks or along the marsh, benches, swings on the dock leading to the marsh, a dock by the Tug Boats, and of course infamous Pineapple Fountain.One of the best views of the Charleston area bay and especially for sunrise!You can find me here occasionally doing my morning rucks or on the docks enjoying the sea!We hope you enjoy our beautiful city of Charleston!- The Pirate Hunter

Super cool cool park. We felt like we were in a Jane Austin book taking a turn around the gardens. It was incredible beautiful and well cared for. We wish we had more time to just come and chill. This is a must got for a quiet place to rest. It’s very peaceful. Now should be mentioned it’s not a park for kids to run or dogs to be walked etc. even a sign that says no running. It’s a tranquil park. Which is what brings some of it awesomeness.

Beautiful water front park with lots of trees, benches and great views. Check out the pineapple and other fountain. Kids should wear their bathing suits, and adults can dip their toes too! A few restaurants and an ice cream shop are nearby.

Nice walking area along the water. There are 2 fountains that the kids are allowed to play in and cool off, dont forget to bring a towel. I fountain is called the pineapple fountain which looks like a pineapple. The pier is nice, has a shaded area with a couple of swings. Grandchild was able to ride her bike along the path.

Beautiful waterfront location with stunning views of the river. The park is full of large, open spaces with plenty of room to walk. Although some of the sidewalks were under water today due to rain. There are several playgrounds and splash areas for kids. There are picnic areas with grills and tables,Free parking if you can find a spot.

Whenever I'm in Charleston I almost always visit this place. The view overlooking the harbor as it splits to the Cooper River and the Ashley River is superb, with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop. From a historical standpoint you can see the different forts and why Charleston was such a difficult port to capture.I suggest watching the moon rise on a nice clear night and I assure you, you'll be enchanted.

AWESOOOOME! SUCH a gorgeous place to walk around and have a nice evening stroll. Beautiful fountains down here! And the boardwalk right next to the water…and the grove of trees is like walking through a tunnel. So beautiful, such a nice little pretty spot. If I lived in Charleston, I’d be down here every week! A MUST VISIT if you ever find yourself in historic Charleston! 👍👍

This park is a great place to take a break from the touring and activity of the city proper. There was a lovely breeze and shade so it was refreshing. It is a peaceful spot to relax and enjoy watching the sailboats in the harbor or the kids playing in the fountains.

Wow. What a beautiful park. The fountains are the main attractions in the park other than the view of Fort Sumter. Great place for kids to dip themselves in the fountains on a hot summer day. Had sail boats floating by. Plenty of shady places to cool off while walking the surrounding area. The swings on the dock are the best. So much to do here. You won't regret giving this beautiful part of Charleston SC a gander. Will definitely be back for more.

Joe Riley Waterfront Park is an easy walk from King Street and City Market. This beautiful and pristine park overlooks the Charleston Harbor. Stop at the Pineapple Fountain, slip off your shoes, and wade in the water. Stroll along the tree-lined pathway and enjoy the beauty of Charleston.

We had a beautiful day. October is a perfect time to visit. Nice place to take a break and rest. You can reflect, watch sail boats, and listen to street artists.

If you are looking to take an early morning or late evening stroll, this is the perfect spot. There are plenty of benches if you want to grab a book to read, have a picnic, or just take in the scenery and enjoy nature.

We visited on a weekday afternoon in the spring. It was fairly busy with spring break tourists. It was difficult finding parking. We had to circle a lot before we found a lot with open spaces. There are two fountains and a boardwalk. People are allowed to play in the fountains! No one was in them due to the cooler weather. The pier has a covered picnic area and bench swings. My kid loved the swings! There's a Carnival Cruise Line dock next door and there was a ship there! The pineapple fountain was gorgeous. It was much more detailed than I expected. There's an area with benches close by shaded by many live oaks. Just beautiful.

The Charleston waterfront is beautiful. There is something about the Atlantic Ocean in the south It has a certain beauty and charm about it. It’s so calm and peaceful. I had a great time and the great views of the waterfront from the park were outstanding.

We visited in start June when it is hot in the mornings but perfect time to visit these outdoor locations in Charleston. Flowers were starting bloom and spread through the park. The fountain was beautiful.

We visited in late March when it is chilly in the mornings but warms to 70’s in the afternoon, perfect time to visit these outdoor locations in Charleston. Flowers were starting bloom and spread through the park. There are two walkways one that is the pier and one the has elaborate homes, lined with huge oak trees. Several cute places to sit and watch the pier or to have a nice picnic. The fountain was beautiful.

Beautiful waterfront park in downtown Charleston. We got to see a cruise ship docked nearby. Perfect place to admire the fountains, sit on swings or benches and relax or visit with friends, have a picnic. Very nice park with water views. We enjoyed it.

Beautiful park with two water fountains overlooking river, with lots of benches for your evening enjoyment.

This place is really nice. Easy to spot dolphins. I saw a dolphin couple. We took a really nice walk. It's also really nice to rent a bike and ride. Pineapple fountain is also really beautiful.

Wonderful waterfront park! We went end of March 2024 and there was a ton of construction which made getting there with a wheelchair a tough experience but once we did it was great! The paths were not very wheelchair friendly because roots had grown under the bricks (not unexpected) so I would suggest having someone assist a wheelchair user. We did see a dolphin on the peer! Swings were busy so we didn’t get to try those. Will return again in warmer months!

This park is awesome, it's got the pineapple fountain you can put your feet in and it's also got the splash pad, there is the pier that is a must go to, it's where you can find the famous swings.

Wow what a beautiful place to spend a few hours!! Beautiful sights and walkways! Lots of benches and places to sit & soak up some South Carolina sunshine also🌞

Gorgeous park with lot of area to walk, sit and relax, take photos, etc. Loved going here with family and had an amazing time.

Beautiful park for family and friends. It’s an easy walk from city market, plenty of spots for taking pictures and relaxing at the park . It has nice pier, fountains, eco rock, benches along the big trees etc. We enjoyed walking around and took some nice pictures here.

Was a nice peaceful walk. Sad that a big hotel is being built right next to the boardwalk. There are some wooden swings you can sit on and relax.

Loved the covered swings looking out over the water. Very clean and nicely maintained park. So many photo ops here.

4.7

(10210)

4.5

(5657)

Vendue Range, Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA

+104 other lists

I loved visiting this market. It was fairly big for the area that it’s in. I was expecting a much smaller market and was pleasantly surprised. There was so much to see and buy. I bought some prints, little gifts, jewelry, candies and had to buy some of the beautiful grass woven art pieces. There is lots more to do outside of the market that is very close and I loved that aspect also. It was a tight squeeze but we went on a weekend so maybe it’s less crowded during the weekdays. You are going to love it, but pack your comfy shoes for sure.

The City Market is a must-stop if you are visiting Charleston. This market is packed with all different types of vendors and artisans. The handmade straw baskets are works of art, and the paintings are breathtaking. Different vendors vary throughout the week, so stop in several times.

Had a great time browsing all the very unique and interesting gifts offered by so many different vendors. Everyone was polite & friendly, the basket weavers even made a rose for our little one which made her day.

Starting from the intersection of Meeting Street and Market Street then extending all the way to East Bay Street, the Charleston City Market is a renown location to buy a wide assortment of locally produced goods or at least from certified local vendors. During the day it serves predominantly as tourist market (but still nice) and there are, on certain evenings a Night Market where only locally produced goods are available. In both cases it is worth a visit if you are visiting as you are sure to find a nice memento of your visit here...and you'd be supporting a small local business. Enjoy!

This is a great outdoor market with lots of history. Great local vendors here offer great pricing. It’s a very southern market where you can buy homemade goods. I definitely recommend taking a stroll through the market if you’re in downtown Charleston.

Definitely a must see in Charleston. Although busier, it's probably better to go on a weekend when I would imagine more vendors would be out. But I am not exactly sure how that works. If you are really shopping, it probably takes about 2 hours to get through the entire market. There are plenty of public parking areas. The parking garage we parked at was $4 for 2 hours.

A must see when you visit Charleston! Packed with something for everyone. I bought a book, a few pieces of art, and post cards. Very welcoming. I felt comfortable with my mask on. I would visit here again. From grits, to baskets, to art there is so much to see! Such a beautiful experience. Truly a place worth stopping and experiencing. You can find parking, there are lots and street parking. Also there is a lot of food in the area. Enjoy!

This was my second time visiting the market while in the state. It was such a lovely time. So much beautiful art and good snacks! Of course, everything is surrounded by the beautiful city with so many different shops. The only downfall is the horse carriage rides, leaves horse poop in the ground in some areas with a fresh scent.I do recommend going during the week if you can, so it's a little busy.

We were looking for something to do before we had to head to the airport. This is an interesting market that has a huge variety of things to look at and shop. There are permanent stores and what appears to be less permanent stalls for local vendors. Most of it is in outdoor covered pavilions with one section indoors and air conditioned. It began to rain hard, which quickly flooded the streets. There were 7 to as much as 12 inches of water between the buildings. I had to take my shoes off and roll my pants up to escape. Would have like to see the whole thing. It was a very memorable experience.

Love the Charleston City Market.There are a lot of interesting shops. Some are handmade items, too.Wide variety of artworks,spices, etc.The high ceiling with fans and long 2 buildings are impressive. There are also bathrooms.Walking down the shops is sure a nice experience. ...

The Market is great and houses lots of great vendors both day and night with food, artifacts, art, jewelry, bags, clothing, and so much more. Lots of the items are handmade, especially at the night market. The market extends about 3 or more blocks and lots of great eating places and other stores around the market. You definitely want to visit the market! We did twice!! 😃

Absolutely a blast! My mom and I took a little weekend trip and were looking to do some shopping. Stumbled across the City Market and let me just say, you HAVE to come here at least once!! Easy parking in paid parking lots or public parking decks (not expensive). We found T-shirt shops, hats, bags, pottery, handmade items, magnets, candies/foods, etc.

Marvelous public market in the middle of downtown Charleston. The place has different kind of vendors, from arts and crafts to local shoes designers. Even if you don’t buy anything, I encourage people to talk a walk inside to enjoy its architecture.

One of my top fave experiences while we were visiting Charleston. Really cool market with all sorts of local stuff to buy and eat. Also just fun to look around. They only have certain hours so make sure to check the site. We caught the tail end of the market so a lot of people were already packing up or gone already for the day. Still a unique experience to find touristy or less touristy m/more unique Charleston items. I bought some delicious pecans roasted in cinnamon sugar. I will say roads are really tight and smaller in this part of town so brace yourself and search for nearby parking.

This is definitely a must stop, whether during the day or at night. My friend and I loved walking through the market and perusing all the local vendors and shops. We purchased a couple of gifts for ourselves and for others. I loved some of the unique jewelry and basket shops, and other items like the freeze dried skittles I couldn't quite understand. There's a plethora of things to buy!

The barn was very clean and smelt nice, and had bathrooms, which we were not expecting. It was easy and fast to get into the wagon as they tell everyone where to sit. We had Jordan, who was a very good coach horse and clearly knew the route. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. We saw a lot of the beautiful back alleys and were told a lot of history.

A great place for unique gifts and souvenirs from the Low Country. Authentic, hand made items by local craftsmen, garments, soaps, etc. Sweet grass baskets too. Parking is a bear or the other "B" word. Garages and lots can be $20/day. Place floods during a heavy rainstorm. Closes at 5 with vendors taking all their goods with them. A must see.

Ok so it's getting an average review based on access and walking. Repeat of products and parking. Worth the shopping trip but if you have mobility issues just know it's going to be a challenge. The horse carriage is a mixed thoughts, really hard to get in for some, But such a nice way to hear stories and see the sights. Just wish they had a horses only lane .

My husband and I shopped at Charelston City Market and we bought a beautiful ornament of a Charleston map, put on an oyster shell. It is so unique and beautiful. This wonderful lady sold it to us, she was so nice. I also bought a wallet to match my purse that I bought in Savannah, Georgia. There was so many things to choose from and I love what we bought. My husband also, bought me a beautiful bohemian cover-up with a brooch, it is also reversible.

I've been all over the country and frankly no places touches Charleston, and as tough as I am, as a former football player and coach, its "also romantic" lol. But throw in the awesome history and you feel like your back in time when walking the city or taking a carriage ride. Very fun place, restaurants and bars are fantastic too. You must visit Charleston, no joke, beautiful and fun.

Love it! Everything from peanuts, salt water taffy to beautiful paintings, photography, jewelry, purses...you name it. Four buildings full of treasures!

This is a great market with many local artists.Nice place to get hand painted fridge magnets, hand painted christmas tree ornaments, and sweet grass braided baskets. Everything is expensive but it's a touristy area so that was expected.They have public restrooms and ATM machines.Great spot to buy some souvenirs.

This was my 2nd visit to Charleston City Marketplace. It's an open-air market with no walls and vendors lining either side of the aisles with all sorts of unique sweet grass baskets, jewelry, clothing, food, books and so much more. I purchased a very unique handmade cane with a silver metal handle for a friend at a very reasonable price. Also, I purchased several pieces of jewelry for gift giving and some sweet grass items. The vendors are generally very friendly and some are the artisans who created the items on display. Three blocks long with lots of parking nearby, both street and lot parking. Each time I've gone, I wish I had more room in my suitcase for additional items. Several restaurants surrounding the market, including Henry's with great food and ambiance, are either at the bar or table seating. There's also an area to get carriage rides within a block. Easy walking area and open 7 days a week.

If you are in Charleston you might as well swing by. As far as old city markets, this is one of the oldest and it’s huge. A decent amount of local vendors, but would have liked to have seen more quality booths with quality goods. There are a few authentic sweetgrass basket makers and their booths are a must see. Gorgeous baskets. Clean restrooms and easy enough to find parking on the street or in a lot. Not many food places inside, but plenty in the area.

I prefer to come on Fall. But we visited today in the middle of the day in Summer ☀️ 🥵We bought a Mango smoothie tho 😋The place had a bunch of people with their dogs 🤍They have lots of crafts and beautiful things!!

The market has so many booths with unique items - it took over three hours to see it all. I lucked out and went on the day of the Christmas tree lighting so there was a night market too. I went to the market in the morning and then again for the night market. A lot of different vendors set up for the night market. It wasn’t difficult to find a parking spot for either time. It was a lovely day and I bought many unique items from food items to baskets to jewelry.Side note: Be careful of the people outside the market trying to “gift” you with a handmade sea grass rose. They are relentless with demands for money. Just be prepared to pay if you accept the “gift”.

This place is very charming with a lot of variety with regards to venders. We happen to not realize that they begin to close up around 5pm so come early and shop. Certainly a great place to find a unique and memorable souvenir or gift while you’re in Charleston.

This place is usually on the list of places to go and see on Trip Advisor and Google. I usually go to these to look for unique souvenirs and shot glasses. Yes, it’s a tourist trap and worth walking around to window shop. I didn’t buy anything because I didn’t see anything that interested me and the prices weren’t cheap. People were friendly. You’ll see some weaving baskets, jewelry, clothing, etc.

Very cool, large market with lots of local vendors selling many different products. You could purchase belts, paintings, hats, handmade leaf baskets, and much more. We visited at least 2-3 times in our short stay. It was a bit pricey, but it's also a big tourist attraction so it makes sense. It wasn't too busy though, we were able to take our time and got a few souvenirs to bring back.

There seems to be something for everyone. Whether you are looking for handmade jewelry, accessories, candles, hats, fragrance, jellies, cookies, or Charlston themed souvenirs, I am sure you will enjoy your visit. Be sure to visit the numerous nearby shops and horse and carriage tours.

Fun place to go while you're in Charleston, but don't expect leisurely shopping. It's usually packed with tourists walking along like zombies. Most of the stuff being sold there is by local merchants, so that's a plus. You can find decent deals on quality items if you look closely. There are restrooms available, as well as food shops to get a bite to eat. Expect to do alot of walking. Most all retailers take cash and credit, using scanners for their phones or normal registers. Overall, it's a fun experience, the shade it provides while you're in the area is a total blessing, but it is not something I'd do more than once while I visit Charleston.

Cool market, lots of vendors and stuff to see and possibly buy. Watch out for the street folks peddling the grass roses though. This kid tried to get my elderly mom to give him money for a "basketball trip to Alpharetta". I told him no thanks and he cussed me out and walked off.

Open air market with vendor booths amid centuries old buildings. Great walking / touring area. Close to waterfront and historical parks and buildings. I'm not much for markets, but the walk was very nice.

So cute!! The tiny little tourist traps are wonderful!!! The art, souvenirs, candy, books kid clothes are plentiful!!! Indoors, some of it is actually air conditioned. Charleston the same flair as Savannah.

Just steps from the port so best not to go when ships are visiting. Specialty foods and local crafts and kitschy souvenirs. Pick up a pack of benne wafers for a nice gift for friends.

4.5

(25192)

4.0

(8228)

188 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA

+75 other lists

This starts with a nice relaxing ferry ride to the island. We loved sitting on the deck outside and looking at the water and the city. Once we arrived at Fort Sumter, we were giving a brief overview by one of the Rangers about the monument. The Rangers are extremely knowledgeable and can answer almost any questions. There is a lot of history there and it is interesting to learn. It’s well preserved a great addition to our Charleston trip. We probably would not go back again but we were glad we went once.

The tour of Fort Sumter was the perfect length at approximately an hour. We took the first tour at 9:30 and I highly recommend it. It is cooler and better yet we rode with all the docents! Ranger Walter gave the history of the Fort and the area. It is mostly preserved in its mostly destroyed state. Restoring it imo would take away from the story.

A fun ferry ride with a wonderful tour guide. He had been doing it for 23 years and you could hear the passion in his voice. The other ranger who led most of the tour was also very informational. The site was fun to see and impressive - great history. Only complaint was that we did not have enough time to also really tour the museum part, but we still got to see everything.

Must do experience while in Charleston. I must admit spending time on the water to and from the island was half the reason I visited Fort Sumter. The views of the Battery, Ravenal Bridge, and Sullivan's Island from the ferry were stunning. Knowledgeable guides and a very well written brochure provided more background and history than could be absorbed for one day. Next time I'd like to go early and stay late, so I could spend more time in the museum. The sound system can't compete with the engine and the waves. More speakers on board are needed to be able to actually hear the park ranger clearly. Old and young alike catch just enough snippets to be tantalized without being informed. Also, the web site refers to a garage on the Charleston side without providing a map or the cost of parking, so we opted for Patriots Park on the Mt Pleasant side for $5. All in all, the excursion was well worth the time and money. I'll make time for a fourth trip when I can make a day of it. Fascinating, really.

This is a must do exhibit if you visit the Charleston area. You have a brief ferry trip to the monument. As you arrive, you can see the stations of where the cannons were pointing outward. The fort itself is well preserved and it’s history is very fascinating. Quick tip: You can take part in the “raising” and lowering of the American flag if you are on either the 9:00 or 4:00 tours. The overall tour was quite informative and pleasant.

While it was one of the hottest days, the Ferry ride and the Fort were amazing. Because we were on the first tour of the day, they needed help raising the garrison flag. I didn't hold the flag but I got to witness my family participating. Bring a water bottle, they have refill fountains at the fort.

The ferry ride to Fort Sumter is pleasant and relaxing. When we got to the fort, we had to wait almost 15 minutes for the ferry in front of us to load and depart before we could disembark and explore the fort, and our time was cut short because of it. My advice, please plan to get back to the ferry on time so others may have the same experience. Other then being rushed, it was a great experience, hearing the story of the history of the fort was fascinating, and the museum was packed full of information and artifacts.

Ft Sumter Is Beautiful a lot of cool history!I recommend you take the Last Ferry of the day you also will have a chance to take down the flag and fold it when arriving at the island for the last Trip!Very beautiful place and the museum is pretty cool!

If you are in the area this is definitely a must-stop if you enjoy and appreciate history. I only wish you could stay a little longer on the island. Definitely buy tickets in advance as it may be sold out if you wait to purchase them when you get there. Boat ride does have food and drinks you can purchase. Didn't feel sick on the ride despite it being windy out.

Essential American history expedition. Park Rangers were knowledgeable and did a great job sharing both Union and Confederate viewpoints to give the complete story of one of the pivotal places in our nation’s history.

First, the 30 min ferry ride was relaxing and informational. We were able to spot dolphins several times during the ride. The historic Fort itself is wonderful to explore. They have a museum which explains the history of the Fort and displays historic artifacts. The flag raising ceremony (first trip only) was also very meaningful. Restrooms were clean and well maintained. There’s also a tiny gift store at the fort.

Nice relaxing and informative boat ride out. We were the first tour of the day so we got to see the raising of the flag. Amazing when coupled with the history of the fort. The young lady who gave us the history was amazing at her job. I teared up a couple times. (I'm like that with some history things I guess.) When arriving and going to the flag pole, and continued history, it knocks out 10-15 minute from the hour that you have, The only thing I would like to see is an extra half hour to tour the grounds more. Other than that it was well worth the time and ticket to get there!!

Great place to soak in history. Wish we had a bit more time to get around and read all the plaques and fully experience the museum.

As a history nerd, this monument literally makes me giddy. I spent several hours exploring this place boring my poor parents with every random fact I know. It is definitely worth the trip if you know the history. Even if you don't know the history, it is still pretty darn cool. I mean, who doesn't love old abandoned forts and cannons?

A great experience!! I wish the ferry options allowed for a longer visit, as it did feel rushed. You get about an hour to explore, however I would have probably wanted 2 hours to really immerse myself and read all the history. Also, the ferry will cost you $30+ per person just as a heads up.

Wonderful place, can feel the past come alive here. The ferry ride gives you a chance to see other ships too. Currently a ticket is $35.. Note to park in the lot for the ferry, is $5 same as it has been the last 10+ years.

Historical, cool, and interesting site. A little underwhelming, unless you're a huge History buff and want to spend the time doing the videos and Live Ranger talks. If you haven't been, it's worth the quick stop in. The small entry fee is worth it to help keep a Historical site active. I usually ha e more but, again I was mildly underwhelmed.

Staff and rangers were all very friendly and helpful. So much history! The ship had air conditioning on the lower level and the museum in the fort. So nice, would totally visit again!

Very interesting. The volunteer tour guide on the ship provided a lot of great historical information, and we had the added joy of being there at a time to help lower the massive American flag.

Arrived at Patriots Point early and had to wait an hour for the next ferry over, which was fine. The trip across the bay was nice and met some nice folks both ways of the ride. Supposedly, there were dolphins on the way back, but I didn't see them.You are allotted one hour in the fort, which doesn't seem like a lot, but the fort isn't that big, so that's plenty. There is a museum there but did go in.Overall, it was a nice day, as you can see by the picture.The red line on the pole is how high the way used to be.

Very important events in our nation happened here. The rangers on the island & visitors center tell the story well. You have to take a boat ride to go. You can catch it from Liberty Square (difficult to find parking) or from Patriots point at Mount Pleasant. At the Point there is adequate parking for a small fee.

Pretty nice, interesting history. Not the largest, so an appropriate size for the one hour they give you if you speed run the placards. Maybe a little expensive given the time but probably necessary to find the ferry.Small gift shop that's swipe only, but inside there's a free ink national park stamp for your book if interested.Additionally, challenge coins at the register.

Very cool overall experience. The one thing I would love is for the rangers to offer more information. I’d pay another $5 at the actual site for a loose tour of facts beyond the introduction story.

Nice ferry ride to the fort with a speaker who tells a short story about the fort. Impressive information about our nations history. You're only allowed 1 hour on the fort, so don't take too long at the museum or gift shop! !

A definite must when you come to Charleston, especially if you're a historian, you will really enjoy this one. The ferry ⛴️ was nice as well this is a very educational tour, get in line early if you want to pick your seat on the ferry, also I recommended the last one of the day because they have the flag folding ceremony where the you get to participate if you want. I was a bit taken back, standing in the middle of the fort thinking of the events that took place there, I only wish it was a bit longer there was a lot to take in but not a lot of time to do it.

If you are a history lover, you will be happy you chose to go. Relaxing ferry ride over and back. Snacks and drinks for sale on Ferry.

30 min ferry ride (each way) and an hour on land. Ferry has snack/drink options for purchase and restrooms, Ft has none (aside from a water bottle filling station and gift shop). Very worthwhile tour!!!

It's nice with an enjoyable, approximately 30-minute ferry each way. I recommend sitting outside as their is at least a nice breeze. The AC on the mid deck doesn't work well and it's rather hot. The bottom floor smelled horrible due to the AC constantly dripping into the carpet, hardly any AC down their worked either.

Visited on a Wednesday afternoon - rode the ferry ($37/person) to Fort Sumter, stayed an hour on the island, then rode back.There was a 10 minute history presentation by a ranger upon arrival, and the rangers were available for questions during the visit.Cool to see the cannons, brick walls, etc. But I personally felt it was an overpriced experience.Would recommend for anyone interested in historical monuments.

A piece of history. You can still see the scars from the cannon fire. Great museum inside. Only problem is it's hard to take it all in during the hour you have at the fort. The boat ride there and back is enjoyable.

Certainly the funniest park ranger I've met yet. He was also a wealth of knowledge and as personable as they come. The site is amazing and rife with history at every turn. Ft. Sumter has seen so many pivotal moments in American history. Also enjoyed a nice boat ride out to the island. There is a gift shop at the fort, but prepare yourself. If there are a lot of people, the gift shop gets crowded quickly as it is very small.

Honest revel I love national parks. The historian did a wonderful job sharing the history. We had 3 park rangers on our ferry. It was about 30 minutes each way plus about and 1 1/2 hours to tour. Not enough time to go through the museum. But loved the information and experience. FYI we had dolphins jumping in front of our ferry...so cool!

What a beautiful and simple tour and experience. It’s the perfect length of time, incredible history, and a great activity within the harbor. The staff were fantastic, clean restroom aboard the boat, affordable concessions and eager staff to share in the history.

Fun historical site. Great place to help your kids have a sense of patriotism and learn some history! Our park ranger, Andy, was amazing. My only complaint was that our national park pass didn't do anything for us at this location.

Fort Sumter has an amazing history that is worth the visit. The ferry takes about 30 mins to get out there and a ranger will give a quick 10 min presentation upon arrival. You only have an hour while you're out there so take full advantage of it. I wish we had more time but it was still a blast. We were even greeted by dolphins at the fort.

A beautifully crafted tour to one of our nations most important historical sites. The Park Rangers are exceptionally knowledgeable and provide ample time to ask questions once they concluded their initial speech pertaining to the history of Fort Sumter through the ages.Wear shoes, bring sunblock, and a snack if you get hangry like me.Approx 3 hours from start to finish.

Highly recommend taking the time to see this tour! The history and the boat ride through the harbor were both memorable! Arrive early to stand in line to board the boat and buy your tickets in advance.

Great historic site to visit! Park rangers are helpful and knowledgeable to answer any questions! The site try’s to be wheelchair accessible but much of the ground is brick or rocky as well as part of the monument requires stairs to access. The area is kept very clean and there is a water refill station available for visitors.

4.7

(10274)

4.5

(5910)

South Carolina 29412, USA

+18 other lists

We enjoyed our visit to the tea farm, great tour guide on the trolley and very informative. The factory tour was good and fun to watch. The gift shop had hot and cold teas to try. We had a chance to try the first cut tea of the season which had a rich and buttery flavor. Lots of cute tea items in the shop. They have a wonderful place under trees with picnic tables and nice bathroom facilities.

We loved this tour. It is such a rare and unique experience to see how tea is grown, harvested, maintained and processed. This is not an Antebellum plantation tour, it is a tour of an active tea plantation. Do not miss the factory tour (which is separate from the trolley tour) and does not have a separate charge. Hopefully you can see the factory in operation, which is most of the time from April to October. It is just down the road from the Angel Oak tree which is very much worth stopping to see as well.

This was the second time my fiancé and I have visited, but the first time with my family. I will always love coming to the Charleston Tea Plantation. There is a free factory tour every 15 minutes on the hour that explains how they process their tea. There is also a trolley tour - $15 per person for ages 12 and up, $7.50 per child ages 4-11. The trolley tour is such an incredible and informative experience. It was fascinating learning about the tea and the history of tea. In addition to the tours, there is also a great gift shop. They have dispensers (hot and cold) so you can try a variety of their teas. I would recommend the Charleston Tea Plantation to anyone wanting to learn more about the history of Charleston!

We booked online today and we had such an amazing experience. Every single person that worked there was extremely kind and welcoming. They answered every question we had about the experience and about the way tea is grown. I highly recommend paying for the Trolley Ride, it was adorable and made the ride down there worth it. We wished the factory tour had more to it, but other than that we had a great time! We enjoyed seeing the “World’s Largest Sweet Tea.” It’s also about 15 minutes to the Angel Oak Tree, so definitely do both!

A must-go if you are a tea fan. Maybe the only large-scale tea plantation in the US. Go on the $15 trolley ride and learn all about tea agriculture. Walk through the free factory tour and learn about processing. Beautiful location, free iced and hot tea tasting, public bathrooms, fun gift shop.

A wonderful little experience to fill 2 hours. A cute gift shop with many tea products and free tea samples (hot and cold). A free factory tour that is video led and allows you to see in on the small operation. We paid for the trolley ride through the tea fields with a stop at the greenhouse. It's not super cheap, but a great way to view the only tea farm in North America. We enjoyed it with our kids and would recommend it as something to do during a visit out to see the 400 year old Angel Oak tree and park.

This is a good stop if you're in the Charleston area and don't mind doing a little driving, especially if you're a tea fan. There is a large gift shop filled with your standard gift shop items, a free video guided factory tour, and all you can drink hot/cold tea while you're there. I'd say the most impressive thing in their gift shop is tea from their first harvest. Most of the cold tea varieties are sweetened already, and you can find whatever add-ins you may need next to the teas.They have lots of outdoor seating including picnic tables where you can wait if you're doing the garden trolley tour ($15). The tour was very informative and it included a visit to their greenhouse as well.

The Charleston Tea Garden is such a fun experience. The drive out to it is absolutely serene. Step into the don't shop, where you can browse through a vast collection of craft items, tea, and treats. Sample hot and iced teas of various flavors. (They were all good!) Take a free tour of the factory. It will only take approx. 10-15 minutes. And for $15/person, take the trolley tour of the entire property.

A must see place if you are a tea lover. It is the only tea farm in the entire region of the country. They process the tea leaves once a week. The trolley tour is really nice. You can sample tea in the gift shop. So many cute things in the gift shop

Our visit was 28 August 2023 during a family vacation for the week. I am a connoisseur tea drinker, especially for herbal tea varieties. We were a family of 6 women from 80s to 50s. It was nice to ride in the bus with seniors especially in heat. Some of the dust does kick up when it is dry out. We really enjoyed the tour and information provided. The staff were all so pleasant and the sample teas helped in our choices. Yes, we all left with some teas and other items. I am still cherishing the last box of mint tea and apple butter that I have. My two great-nieces enjoy their flower pens. I would recommend a trip to this location. If down with my traveling friends, I would bring them over as well.

The highlight of my recent Charleston trip. I enjoy supporting local and American made products, and this will for certain be my new go to for tea. Friendly staff and beautiful farm and store. Lots of tea to sample for free. It was great to sit and sip on the porch. If I am ever in the area I will surely be back!

The only tea farm in the USA! Free factory tour, free tea tastings, both hot and cold and well stocked gift shop. Restrooms and free parking available. Tour the Tea farm on a tour bus for $15. The tour is about 45 minutes. Our tour guide, Andi, was informative and entertaining. Sara from the gift shop was helpful and took a group photo for us. If you love tea, farming or beautiful scenery, this tour is for you.

One of my favorite places I visited while in Charleston! Our tour guide was hilarious and I learned so much about tea. Who knew green tea and black tea were from the same plant?! The gift shop was full of so many great finds, and there are a few interesting locations to take pictures at. It’s definitely worth the stop!

We very much enjoyed our visit and tour at the Tea Garden. Sally drove us back in to see the fields and greenhouse and gave us some great insights into the industry.The free tea bar was a treat and the little self guided factory tour was interesting and educational.

This is a great little secret of Charleston. The Charleston Tea Garden is the only location in the US that grows and sells tea. This location has two tour options and a gift shop. As a bonus the gift shop has many cold and hot teas on site that you can enjoy -- unlimited.The first tour option is free and about 15 minutes long. It takes you through the process of how they process and make different teas. Unless it's bad weather, they generally are harvesting and processing tea daily.The second tour option has a small fee. I think it was around $15 a person for adults. This is a trolly tour that is covered (great for when it's raining). This tour takes you around their 18 fields and the nursery. You can see first hand how the tea is harvested, learn the history of the tea garden, and quit a lot about tea. The guy giving the tour is fun and knowledgable.Overall it's a great stop, even if you don't want to take the tour. The tea on site is grown and processed there. The First Flush is the best to get.

The Tea Garden is a great place to spend a few hours. It's free to park, walk around, and visit the guest shop plus factory. There are also free restrooms just outside. You can choose to pay for a tour on a bus run by the tea garden. If you choose no to, you can always walk around on your own. It's a pretty place that's worth your time.

We visited Charleston Tea Garden this week on our honeymoon and had the most amazing time! The staff were so friendly and welcoming! Steven (our trolly driver) was so informative and made sure we had a great time! We spent time after the trolly tour looking round the factory and exploring the grounds and tasting lots of great tea.This is a must stop for all tea lovers in the area!

If you are in the Charleston area, you should not miss this. You’ll learn more than you ever could have imagined about tea.For example, did you know that all varieties of tea come from the same plant? Yeah, me either.They have a small little self-guided factory tour, a tasting room with unlimited tea, and a paid trolley tour around the farm. You can spend about a half a day here,and it’s quite educational.

The Charleston Tea Garden (Plantation) in South Carolina. This is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL plantation. The trolley costs $ and no dogs allowed on it so we didn't ride them but dogs are allowed on the grounds but not image the shop. Parking is FREE, admission is FREE, lots of hot tea and cold tea samples (full cups) inside are FREE, and there is a little self guided tour that's FREE with video and you can see through large windows the factory where they make the Charleston Teas. The gift shop is where the tea tasting is and how you enter the free tour and lots of cool things to buy in there. This is a PERFECT place to go to if you're looking for FREE stuff to do in/around Charleston, SC.

I did this because I felt it was unique, and I am so grateful. The place itself is beautiful, and our guide, Steve, was knowledgeable and fun. There is a little shop full of cute items and you can, of course, also get some tea. In addition to the gardens and greenhouse, you also get to view the manufacturing area, and they are videos that explain how everything is processed. I learned a lot and really enjoyed my time here!

Had the pleasure of visiting the tea garden today. It is a unique to SC experience, offering fascinating history of this one of a kind farm. The spring weather was beautiful for the open window trolly tour. The tour wasn’t terribly long however it included 4-5 stops with explanations, Q and A time, and an audio recording lecture supplemented the drivers speeches. In the gift shop there were hot and cold tea samples available and other items for sale. It was pleasant browsing and the shop attendants were kind and quite knowledgeable. Highly recommend visiting!

I really enjoyed the trolley tour and tea tasting The charming tour guide was funny and engaging. Seeing the factory inside was also interesting. Even the kids enjoyed it. I never knew there was so much to know about tea. We bought our tickets once we got there and had 45 minutes to taste tea and do the factory tour.

Such a fun and interesting place! The tour was entertaining and educational. I love the tea and brought some home with me. Definitely worth a visit if you are near the area.

We had the best time visiting on Mother's Day.We enjoyed the quick factory tour which is about 12 minutes but was very informative. We also had booked, in advance, the trolly tour. Out driver was very nice and provided a good amount of info to supplement the recording. The grounds are fun told walk around. We enjoyed sampling all the different teas for free. If your in the SC area go check them out if your a tea lover.

If you know a minimum about tea & always wanted to know more take the time to visit this place. Interesting history & tea processing explained. Endless cups of tea, hot or iced & information to enlighten! Trolly ride around the active farm fields is the only way to see it all. No walking about in the fields on your own allowed as it's an active, working farm. Trolly is worth doing. Enjoyed the ride & the driver was thorough, personable & truly seemed to enjoy sharing his time with us. No question was too large or too small. Gift shop is delightful. Did I say there's endless cups of tea?!!

This was a very informative tour and our trolley driver was great! Very informative and passionate about the plantation. The gift shop could use some brighter lights. It's cute and they have a lot of stuff, but some things are hard to read due to lack of light. The tea is good. A different taste than what I'm used to (Numi black breakfast tea), but still very good.

We took the Trolley tour while visiting Charleston and loved it! This place is a gem and the people working there are very passionate about their craft. The garden was beautiful and the tour was very educational. They also had samples of different teas available in the gift shop and a short and free factory tour. I would highly recommend visiting!

I took the tea garden tour on July 1st and was so pleased. The ladies inside the gift shop were so pleasant and accommodating. I enjoyed the tour of the processing facility, the grounds and our tour guide was knowledgeable and you could tell he got great satisfaction explaining all about the plantation. I would go again and will the next time I'm in Charleston.

Highly recommended while in Charleston - it's free to visit the site but an additional charge to take the trolley tour.There is a gift shop with all the tea that you can drink and a factory tour as you walk past a series of recorded video presentations.

Visiting the Charleston Tea Garden should be on everyone’s list of things to do. It’s a nice diversion from downtown Charleston and all the touristy things. The property is very well maintained and offers a variety of things to do. There is a tour of how the tea is harvested (free). If you’re there on a Tuesday or Thursday, you can see everything in action. There is also a very informative trolley tour ($) that you can take to get a glimpse of the property. The gift shop offers plenty of souvenirs and there’s a variety of complimentary tea (hot or iced) to drink. Enjoy your visit!!

I don't like tea but thought seeing how tea leaves becomes the tea in a cup would be interesting, and the tour did not disappoint. I was able to do the factory tour while waiting for my farm trolley tour. It was very interesting. I had fun buying tea for friends who do love it.You can buy tickets for the trolley tour in advance and I recommend going on a week day vs weekend. They may actually be harvesting and processing tea leaves during visit if you do it on a week day.

Such a quiet and relaxing area. We stop in every time we visit Charleston to pick up loose leaf tea. They have different hit and cold teas to sample while visiting. We enjoy sitting outside in one of the ricking chairs, sipping tea just relaxing. They do offer a tour of the plantation which is very informative as well.

If you like tea, this is the place to stop by. My husband and I went on both the property tour and the factory tour. Both of these were informative and interesting! Our guide was upbeat and kind. We really enjoyed listening to him!

We really enjoyed the Tea Garden experience. Steve, the trolley driver/guide was vey knowledgeable and you can tell, he loves his job. We learned a lot on the factory tour and they have a lovely gift shop.

Area is comprised of three main activities; main area is the gift shop, behind of which is the free video guided viewing area of a processing factory floor, and the last of which is a trolley tour of the tea plantation. There is no walking around on the plantation nor walking tour permitted.Gift shop has free tea of varietal flavors in both hot and cold complimentary to sample. Bathroom is outside.Trolley tour was pretty fun. Had Andie as our tour guide, cracking quirky jokes and tea puns that I assume has been well practiced as she spouted them with great enthusiasm.Although the tour and videos purport this being the only tea producer in NA, Believe it's really just the largest commercially viable one. Probably due to the historical establishment of the tea plants.

Had a friend in town and wanted to do something local. Impressed with the information Steve shared on the trolley tour. Very educational! Look forward to enjoying a daily cup of tea grown in the low country!

4.7

(2006)

4.5

(1693)

6617 Maybank Hwy, Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487, USA

5 lists

It has been a tradition of my family for as long as I can remember. I literally grew up here. Although this beach isn't my favorite, there's always heavy nostalgia every time I return. Our recent visit was for a pop up family gathering and a continued celebration of moms bday.

I always love Hunting Island. It's well maintained and the beach is beautiful. There is a light house that you can go up in, various historical buildings, a campground, 2 beaches, bath houses, a beach gift shop, and a campground gift shop.

Top campground just meters from beach — good facilities, clean, quiet — some fun trails for cycling/hiking — beware the mosquitoes!

Pretty magical Little Beach. Evidently my family's been coming here for years and I finally realized why, the views are fictitious!

Quiet and peaceful. Seashells everywhere and will more than likely see a sea turtle nest or two. Beautiful views and great for families if you don't want the business of Hilton Head Island.

What a beautiful park! Driving through seems as though you're entering a rain forest. Gorgeous beach and amazing lighthouse. We were disappointed to find out upon arrival that the lighthouse is closed.

Tranquil, relaxing beach in October. The water was still warm enough to swim. Clean shoreline and the palm trees behind the sand make a peaceful backdrop.

Quiet, relaxing beach. Great for shell hunters. Picnic area for family gatherings,with tables and grills.

Beautiful park! The history of the lighthouse is amazing. Cute playground for kids to play on. The marsh walk was easy & lots of birds. The boneyard was amazing! So beautiful! A bit of a walk from the pier parking lot, but well worth it.

Absolutely amazing! Not too many people due to limited parking, and the scenery is unique. It’s dog friendly and our dog had a blast!There aren’t any trash cans anywhere by the beach or on the trails so bring a trash bag to put away your trash. There is a trash/recycling bin in the parking area

This beach captured my heart like very few other places on earth have. Its pristine sands, crystal-blue waters and serene atmosphere make it my favorite beach in the world. Watching the sunrise here feels like witnessing a masterpiece painting come to life. Each visit feels like the first, offering a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Truly, a hidden gem that deserves all the praise and more.

North Beach is the best place to watch the sunrise or the sunset,but I prefer North Beach for sunrise,there are many other places to watch the sunset as you will see in the pictures

This is our 3rd visit to this South Carolina state park and it doesn’t disappoint! Our campsite was on the perimeter of the campground and backed up to the primitive campsites of which none were occupied during our visitThe RV sites have electric and water, fire pit and picnic table and many are heavily wooded and private. Its more of a hard packed sand rather than gravel site for parking. The store has ice, firewood and other supplies.There’s a trail that you can walk to from the campsites as well as beach access. Other trails start from the 2 other entrances along Sea Island Parkway as well as a short hike on the sound side which connects small islands out in the marsh via boardwalks. That’s a great place for birding. We saw a river otter and 4 Bufflehead ducks hunting fish in the marsh. The trails all offer a variety of scenery from forest to marsh to beach including the ghost forest at the south end of the island. Its a photographer ‘s paradise !

This was our first time visiting and we loved it!!! Driving to the beach you feel like your in a Jurassic park movie!!! The beach is beautiful, filled with shells!! And the lighthouse is magnificent! Be sure to go see it, and there’s a cute little gift shop too!!! Also…. The boneyard beach is simply amazing!!! I’m sure if you go you will enjoy this beautiful area as much as we did!! ☀️🌴

Another view of a beach, awesome trees, lighthouse, horseshoe craps and Boneyard Beach.

We went twice in one week. The visitor center is a nice first stop. Lighthouse is at the upper (northern) beach with picnic tables (gnats drove us away from lunch there, however, early March). You can find some shells, but had better luck last year. Saw some people on horseback. Not crowded at all; plenty of room! I explored only a small bit of trails; looks great if you want to hike or bike. The road into the park is also beautiful.

One of the few South Carolina beaches. The park is clean and they road leading in is interesting.

Love this place!!! We have been going every year for 14 years. I enjoy the NOT crowded beach, the lighthouse, spacious sites, unique finds in shells & the wildlife. The last couple years price has went up & have started adding fees per night if you bring a Golfcart-so be sure to check for extra charges-love they added a place to wash & dry clothes!

This is either the end of the world or it’s beginning. Excellent beaches, inland trails, scenic views, camping / campgrounds, fishing piers, history, etc. etc. If you are in Beaufort, go. If you’re in South Carolina, go. Just go!😀

Gorgeous. Miles of beautiful beach along the Atlantic Ocean. The museum was so informative. Can't wait to visit again. Hopefully the Lighthouse will be open to the public

We enjoyed our visit to the island. The drive into the park was remarkable. It would be easy to get lost if they didn't have signs telling you the way out.

4.7

(401)

4.5

(2359)

South Carolina 29920, USA

2 lists

We always stop at this area when in Hilton head. Nice shops and restaurants. We ride our bikes from the resort there are a lot of great trails along the marsh.

Shelter Cove Community Park is a beautiful park located adjacent to the Shelter Cove Towne Centre. It includes a large grassy area for recreation, a stage for concerts, and an area with playground equipment for children. Plus, it has a gorgeous view of the marshland. It's a beautiful place to run and play or simply to sit and relax.

Love Shelter Cover Community Park! This is a great place for both locals and tourists alike. Within a quick 5 minute walk in any direction you can find places to eat, places to shop, grocery store, gas station, playground, waterfront, and usually some event going on. The park is clean and very family friendly and wheelchair/stroller accessible. It is worth discovering for yourself!

Have been here a couple times while visiting the area.. Nice park with good views. There are stores and small shops. Also a few nice restaurants and club located close by.

Love this park. It's close the restaurants and shopping and has the Memorial park. It's a great place to watch the sunset and to look at the amazing Memorial built for veterans. You can even purchase a brick for a veteran and they will have there name there for ever. They have done such a good job in building a beautiful park. It's a MUST visit while you're in HHI.

Cute little park with a community market on Sundays. Location was excellent to do extra shopping after the market. Playground was perfect for kids of different ages to explore and had good benches for parents.

This is new to us. Wonderful amenity. Well laid out paths, nice views, respectful of the natural environment. Nice veterans memorial. Perfect place for sunset pics. Connects to other Shelter Cove paths. Highly recommended

Great place to view the Tuesday night fireworks as well as the sunset, just get there early (around 6:30pm) and eat dinner and hangout or else parking can be difficult! The fireworks kicked off around 9:37pm and lasted for a decent amount of time.

Shelter Cove Community Park is a very well-designed shopping center, community park for the whole family to enjoy. All of the photos were taken on our recent visit at Christmas and the park is just beautiful! The playground is great with rubber mulch and very cushioned for wild kids like mine:). Large grass area to run around or picnic with the family. Hilton Head puts on events there all the time such as movie nights under the stars, snow at the beach, 4th of July celebrations etc. Check with the community calendar to make sure you don't miss out on any of the great events going on there. This is a park we often take people that come to the beach to visit us. They always seem to maintain the park very well and we will continue to go there as it is just a great place to hang out, walk around, shop, eat, date night and of course go and see Santa Clause at Christmas!

Beautiful place to watch the sun set!

It's a wonderful community park but there's very little shade along the boardwalk so pick your days carefully and wear lots of sunscreen. The views are absolutely beautiful

Beautiful path to walk or bike along the marsh/water. Great for bird watchers. Mixed path - paved and raised wood decking over marsh. Art sculptures too.

This was one of our favorite stops as a family on our day-long biking trip! Beautiful waterfront views and a very well put-together park with lots of seating, a very nice playground (with video surveillance), and restrooms. This park is right next to the French Bakery and other good eateries.

There's something for everyone here. There is a variety of shops and restaurants, and live music on some days. Beautiful views from restaurants when sitting for outside dining!

The best on this side of the island! Free and a playground foe kids with water fountain, restrooms lots of seats and walking for the family. Sunscreens in the bathrooms and lots of cameras around to spy on you! And free wifi however not enough handicap parking.

This is a awesome Greenway that goes put over the edge of the marsh area near shelter cove. There is open parking at the end, and there are two small parks that this takes you to.One is a veterans memorial park with pavers of some veterans of various wars. I am not sure how the featured veterans were chosen, but still a pretty stopThe 2nd park is behind shelter cove shopping center, and has a playground, and gazebo area as well as easy access to shops and restaurants.The whole trail is probably about a mile, but might be a nice excursion if you find yourself in the area

This is a wonderful place to watch the sunset. There are walking trails, picnic benches and a nice playground for kids. Lots of children, families, teens and elderly enjoying the evening. Several people were walking their dogs. This location is near the marsh and is very peaceful. We saw lots of water birds flying overhead heading to the rookery for the night.

We have dogs so we couldn't go to the beach and happened to find this place. It was very well maintained and landscaped nicely. We walked the beautiful paths for an hour we would have stayed longer but it was very hot out that day.

4.7

(1152)

5.0

(2815)

39 Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, USA

+29 other lists

Free public access to the Atlantic Ocean in a Hilton Head Island, SC! Beautiful boardwalk bringing you into the heart of the park. Clean restrooms, rinse off area, changing rooms and lots of shaded seating stops. Wheel chair and scooter accessible mat also available. Beach with lifeguards is very clean with several umbrella chairs and prime seating for families enjoying the day at the beach. Would definitely return!

Beautiful beach with all amenities like washrooms, foot wash, changing rooms, showers, parking.Walk to the beach is a pathway with beautiful trees, you can take your carts along with beach chairs.During the day beach was quite jammed but when I went in the morning around 7am it was much less crowded and looking more peaceful and beautiful then the day.Water of the beach is very very salty so if you skin allergies take precautions.You get Chairs along with umbrella shed on rent but I did not take it so don’t know the rent.P.S- I would request to each of you reading the review not to leave your plastic cans/items near the beach( I saw many during the day visit). Also other request would be to minimize the use of plastic so that our oceans don’t get destroyed.

Wonderful beach! Very clean and well maintained. We loved the walk up to the beach. There is plenty of seating where you can just rest and admire the beauty of the park. Just a short ways from the main Coligny Beach Park entrance, there is tons of safe, free parking. People (tourists and locals) are very friendly and will guide you if you need help. We particularly loved the outdoor changing area because we visited the beach again on the day we had checked out of our hotel. We were able to let the kids get in the ocean and play in the sand, and then come and rinse off and change into dry clothes right at the park. This extended our trip and gave us another day to enjoy the beach as we still had a safe area to get dressed. The park is close to tons of restaurants and shops. Just leave your car in the free lot and go explore. It’s worth it!

I live in Atlanta and don’t mind driving here because it’s clean, family-friendly, has free parking, and it really is beautiful. I love this beach! Lovely place to spend the day with my family

We enjoyed walking the different shops around the plaza. There were many to choose from and there is something for everyone (even kids). Be forewarned, don't walk on an empty stomach because the eateries will starve you. There is a pirate ship play area that the kids enjoy. Certain times you'll hear the live music.It was a joy seeing my granddaughter having so much fun (her first beach visit) watching the gulls, jumping the waves as they rolled to shore, and building sand castles. The splash pad they have for the kids and the areas that lead to the beach are nice and well maintained. Restroom are clean. There are beach wheelchairs (should anyone need one) that you call to reserve so that it's easier to get them on the beach. The beach is very clean and there are trash bins to use if needed.If you have never been to HHI, Coligny Beach Park especially, do yourself a favor and make plans to go. Even if it's a day trip. The atmosphere is amazing for relaxing and everyone we met there was so friendly.

Beautiful place, flat beach area, soft sand nice to walk in the area that close to the water, not crowded, there is clean station and toilets. Pretty nice and clean side walk. Ocean water is pretty cold right now. friendly wave all day long..

Cool beach, gets busy during hot days for swimming.Many people around so it's mostly safe.Nice sunrises over the Atlantic and decent sunsets.Oceans can be flat as pancake or have 4-5 foot choppers in the same day. High and low tides add about 20 yards to beach area.Fun place to people watch

This was our first time coming here. Making our way to Florida. This park is actually really nice & convenient! So many wash off showers, bathrooms are decent, swings to sit down and chill. The beach sand was so nice, there was some trash here and there. The waters are warm!! I've never felt the waters that warm before. I recommend this park though, it's a nice place to take the family.

FREE PARKING!HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE right down to the ocean! There are mats lining the path that wheelchairs can roll on easily.This place is stunning.Very little shells on the beach. It's nice to see a city put so much into public access. Restrooms, showers, water faucets and more! The water was good and cold from the fountain which is a surprise.The sunrise was pretty even if that one cloud blocked it a little.Plenty of restaurants within walking distance too!

The atmosphere is pleasant, and the area is well thought out. They have complimentary buggies for use by those who would have difficulty walking to the beach. There are wide mats for walking on to reach the beach. There are swings and benches for resting along the way. At the entrance, a splash area provides a cooling area for children to play. Some areas are covered for shade. Chairs are available at the beach. It is evident that people enjoy being there.

A good beach access point for the public. It has all the necessary after beach clean up facilities. The restrooms were kept as clean as possible for a public restroom. There was good enough sanitations. The park had several shops and restaurants which were unfortunately all closed as I visited on Christmas day.

Coligny Beach Park on Hilton Head Island is a must-visit destination for both solo travelers and families alike, the boardwalk leading to the expansive beach offers an intoxicating blend of natural beauty and modern convenience.The crown jewels of this picturesque location are the enormous live oaks that shade the park's well-maintained boardwalk that transforms the park into a cool retreat even in the peak summer heat. They're not just functional – these age-old guardians of the island possess a rustic beauty that adds a unique charm to the landscape.The park's splash pads are a real delight, particularly for children. A fine mist keeps visitors cool under the South Carolinian sun, adding an element of fun to the soothing serenity of the beach. The area is kept clean and is perfectly safe, making it an ideal spot for families to create lasting memories.Adding to the park's tranquility are the numerous swings scattered throughout the park. There's nothing quite as relaxing as swinging gently under the protective canopy of the oaks, enjoying the soft sea breeze and the hypnotic rhythm of the nearby ocean waves.Coligny Beach Park is a harmonious blend of leisure and nature.

Best beach to spend an afternoon with friends. Very clean beach. Found sand dollars and starfish. Life guards and helicopter kept eyes on water for any potential threat of sharks. Warnings were given and everyone had to get out of the water. It was about 30 minutes. Then the all clear was given. Clean bathrooms. Definitely my favorite beach!

Beautiful beach, easy access and lovely rest area with water spigots to wash off your feet as well as showers to rinse off completely. Could use more parking but there isn't anywhere to add it - plus, it's walkable from many of the condos nearby. The sand was perfect and waterntemp was cold but bearable for an October sunrise.

This is a beautiful entrance to the beach. They have swings along the walkway and other seating as well. The walkway to the beach had padding down making it an easier walk. We enjoyed the laid back atmosphere at the beach and the water was nice. I would only recommend they have enclosed showers so that you can have more privacy when cleaning up after your day at the beach. They did however have a splash pad area that helps with the sand.

Out of all my visits to this magnificent island, I never once had been to this beach access in Coligny Plaza, as I always have beach access inside Sea Pines, so I decided to try something new. What sort of local guide would I be if I didn't?As far as the actual beachline goes, it's a beach, so everything there was what I expected it to be, but as far as the entrance, it was well-maintained and there were enough restrooms around! The beach itself also extends quite largely, so there's plenty of room for everyone!

Beautiful beach. Can get crowded in the summer for sure. These pics were from 7:00 a.m. walking on the beach. Coligny area is a great place for family and fun. Lots to do

This place always has been good. We have been visit this place for more than 8 years and it is always a good experience. Big free public parking, showers, bathroom and a good path to the beach. Relax time always. We highly recommend for, fun, family and a chill place to stay with infrastructure.

Looks like a well maintained area, clean with restrooms, showers, swings, and short easy walk to the beach. parking upfront was easy to find as we went during winter. Parking was free. We didn't stay for very long but enjoyed the area quite a lot..there is shopping nearly and restaurants too. We saw lot of people with dogs too.

What a beautiful place. I am from Myrtle Beach and HH is like a whole other country compared to where I live. Coligny Park is a perfect gateway to the white sandy Beach and ocean.

It's a nice beach area but a lot of small jelly fish everywhere. From what I learned, they don't sting they just get washed up during high tide. The beach was crowded and the people were not very friendly, especially the lifeguards. Of course, there's no place to sit unless you want to pay for it, so bring your own chairs. It's more of an expensive tourist area that people like to go hotels all around you, hence all the people. There is plenty of parking but plan on walking a bit. It's a nice beach, but I don't plan on going back anytime soon. There are some shops and restaurants nearby if you want to shop and eat. There's a nice park area with a big playground and a big field for the kids to play on. There is an area where you can hear music during the summer months.

This particular public access to the beach was easy to access. Loved the mesh walk-way over the sand! Also loved the area where we were able to rinse our feet/legs and shoes before getting in our car.

Great beach with a lot of space to set up chairs, blankets or whatever. A lot of walkable or bikeable stores and restaurants close by. Stations to wash off feet, showers and bathrooms. There is a wheelchair accessible mat at the entrance that brings you to the beach as well as beach wheelchairs you can borrow for free.

This place is really nice. The beach is usually very clean and well maintained. Has a nice long wide mat that makes it easy to get through the soft sand. There are some nice shops and places to eat. All of which are within walking distance from the beach and where you park. Definitely recommend coming here. FYI It does get crazy busy during tourist season

Love the fact if you are in a wheelchair you can go and see the beach with no problem. Also if you have a hard time walking in the sand they have a cover over the sand in which makes it easier to get there. The cover doesn't get hot either.

The best place to enjoy the beach or see a sunrise! Parking is easy! It’s always clean in the early mornings! Water pad/splash pad is perfect to rinse off before heading back to the car!

This beach has changed a lot over the years. In 2024, it is very very crowded. If you are not wanting to see hundreds of people, you may need to walk about a quarter mile or so to the right of the main Coligny Brach Circle entrance.Just walk until you see no more of those big blue umbrellas and it will feel a bit more organic. You can also arrive early around 7:30 AM or so and it feels a bit more peaceful.(There are other beaches on Hilton Head if you are looking for a public beach that is not such a party spot.)Overall, it’s lovely and fun. The nearby shopping and food selections are in an outstanding location relative to the beach. However, at this point, please know that it is quite crowded.

Coligny Beach is a high quality spot with nice facilities, including restrooms and changing cabanas. It’s a great walking beach, especially at sunrise. You can rent chairs and umbrellas ‘in season’. There is plenty of parking nearby.

A beautiful park with lovely bench swings on the walkway to the beach. We were there in December and the temps were in the mid 50s. It was warm on the swings and cooler on the beach, where it was windy. If you dress for the wind it is a beautiful walk along the beach and not very crowded this time.if year.

Public beach parking (free) is conveniently located close by. From the parking area, strategically placed signs guide pedestrians towards the park entrance. There are shops and facilities like restrooms and shower areas. The walkway is flanked by benches and trash and recycling bins. There are cabanas and chairs for rent if you didn't bring your own shade or umbrellas. Come early and beat the crowd.

It’s a beach. But not only is it a beach it’s a clean beach. I like the fact that it was clean and seemed to be well maintained by whoever maintains beaches. We came in town well for beaches. And we was not let down by the beauty of this beach. It had sand and water which was exactly why we stopped here.

The first time I had been there and it was very clean. It had a lot of added family touches. Share toys and clean up area for the beach. The changing rooms and the restrooms were very clean. I loved the porch swings as well.

You can rent umbrellas and lawn chairs. Popular spot to sun bathe and swim. Showers and changing rooms are available. Clean bathrooms and water fountains. Very populated.

My family comes to this beach often throughout the year. Off seasons are always the best when there are not as many people. There is a splash pad which is seasonal. Restrooms, bench swings, and places to rinse sand off. It's a more family friendly area. Our toddler loves to play in the tide pools if they are there. We did find a sand dollar once in one of the tide pools. I love that you can rent wheelchairs designed for the beach if you need them. At times you will see the coast guard helicopter making their rounds. There may or may not be a lifeguard, seems they are out during peak season. Two downsides is that at times finding a parking spot can be so difficult with the amount of people and secondly the walk from the parking lot to the beach can be very long. Parking is free FYI and there is a park near the far end of the parking lot. People do bring dogs. You may see pelicans, sand pipers and jellyfish.

GREAT Beach!Parking- Parking is free, however, to park in the lot closest to the beach, you want to get there early. We arrived around 1050a and the lot was full. We were able to park at Circle Center.The walk was no more than 5 minutes.Plenty of signs leading you to the beach.Entrance- There is a splash at the entrance and the men's and women's restrooms. There are also benches and swing seats with plenty of shade. There is a Pavillion to the right with a bar and hot dog stand.Beach- I love that the path leads all the way down to the beach. It made it so much easier to pull our wagon.The beach was smooth and clean. We did notice there weren't any seashells.We went 4th of July weekend, so it was crowded, but we never felt like people were on top of each other. It still felt spacious.There are lifeguards on duty, which is always great.The only negative for me were the bathrooms. Maybe more drains or something to help with the water. The bathroom felt like I was walking through puddles of water and I slipped.Overall, an amazing beach and is not far from Atlanta. We are planning to return again in a couple of weeks!

4.7

(9998)

4.5

(3680)

1 Coligny Circle, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, USA

5 lists

4.0

(3669)

Georgia 31328, USA

+89 other lists

Stunning architecture in the middle of Historic Savannah. Well-kept grounds and interior pristine. One of the beautiful places to visit that should be added to your list.

Magnificent place beautifully decorated inside and outside. A lot of history in it and meticulous work of artists. Very often it’s closed for touring due to active service or wedding.The story of Jesus Christ is told by sculptures along the side walls. There is a mix of different art and designs but all is combined very well and supports each other. We did not use guided tour, but it was still very interesting to walk along the walls and read and look at everything.

Historical cathedral with a beautiful stained glass windows and expansive alter. It’s a suggested $3 donation to go in. They offered a free tour where the presenter explained the cathedral’s history and pointed out some interesting features. It took about 20 minutes overall and was very informative. It is an active church so do be mindful about people praying. I would recommend coming here for a first-timer to Savannah and spending half an hour!

If you've never experienced such an amazing and heavenly place, then you should come here. It is amazing, and the artwork was breathtaking! Even if you are not Catholic, it is wonderful, and it is totally free they only ask for donations. Also, they still have services there as well! I loved this place, and so did my grandkids they were amazed at the grandeur of the church. Now, you might not want to bring kids who are a bit loud, for it needs to be quiet. It's still a church, after all. But really and truly amazing.

This Cathedral is Massive and absolutely STUNNING!! 100% worth the stop! They have visiting hours so that you can actually go inside and tour the area and take photos of all of the beautiful stained glass. Beware though: there is no public restroom.

There are no words good enough to describe this experience... a must see to know!! The outside is spectacular, but the inside is miraculous! Your mere presence is altered by the surroundings as you sit in reverence!!!

The cathedral is beautiful from the outside. It is very well preserved and maintained. The dual steeples can be seen from most of Savannah! The interior is breathtaking!! We felt a sense of holiness! The magnificent 66 foot tall ceilings, the stained glass, the carvings, statues, chandeliers and so much more make this a must experience when visiting Savannah!

This Cathedral is stunning. I was here for Mass on Mother's Day, and I was in awe of everything, the liturgy, the music, the atmosphere. The church was decorated with I don't even know how many dozens of roses, giant roses. The choir sounded celestial. The bishop celebrated the Mass - and delivered a wonderful homily. The windows are stunning, especially the Ascension and Immaculate Conception windows. I am a little perplexed by the lack of wounds visible on Christ's hands, but a gorgeous image. As usual, so many details. I especially liked the "Communion of Saints" images around the ceiling.

Beautiful place. Hard to imagine the hours of work in all of the intricate details throughout. Soaring ceilings, beautiful stained glass and extremely detailed carvings throughout. If there is a red sign out front that says worship in process - not the time to go. Usually between 12:30 - 4:30 on weekdays is ideal to visit.

The cathedral was beautiful! We were there about 20 to 30 min before a service and there was a lady in the back of the church yelling at anyone that wanted to take pictures. I absolutely get it and was respectful and didn't make a peep. Apparently, the cut off walking around the church and taking pictures 30 min before services.... so plan accordingly! I was able to snap a few when she was yelling at others.🙂 It's absolutely worth the trip to see!

OH MY GOODNESS! This is GORGEOUS! No matter your beliefs, you should check out this BEAUTIFUL cathedral! The architecture is breathtaking and well, just go see for yourself. 💕I remember thinking it's donation only.

Absolutely Breathtaking.Eye candy for the soul.No matter what religion you are, the beauty inside is undeniable, the energy is peaceful and employees are knowledgeable and willing to share.Definitely take the opportunity to venture inside if they have the doors open.I've been there 3 times to view and appreciate the outside, but this time was the first time I was able to enter.It was worth every moment spent there.It is free, but there is a sign asking for donations.

Beautiful place. They have a person explaining when it was built and the history of the Basillica. The stain glass is amazing and the woodwork also. It is free to enjoy but donations are recommended because it goes to the up keep of the church and the also help the fellow veterans and homeless people in the area.

A lovely cathedral. We attended Mass there and it was beautiful.It is not open to the public during Mass but there are hours before and after the Masses. A beautiful place to sit quietly for a bit and recover from sightseeing.

The guard at the entrance made me feel right at home; he's such a friendly person. Stepping inside feels like entering another dimension, with so much to explore and observe. It's history at its finest, and the architecture is truly breathtaking.

A must see if you’re in this town, a true piece of history. This Cathedral is absolutely massive in size and so beautiful. The stained glass is gorgeous and so detailed. The wood work is stunning with an insane organ. A very unique place to visit.

Absolutely gorgeous. The sanctuary is beautifully detailed. One gets the feeling of a sacred, holy place upon entering. We stayed for the historical lecture which was very informative and interesting.

We always visit this breathtaking cathedral when visiting Savannah. Make it a must-see when you are there! The history and beauty are worth the visit.

Came here on St Patrick's Day. It is one of the biggest churches is Savannah. The church architecture is so beautiful.The vibe is peaceful and calming. You'll keep admiring the beautiful glass windows and sculptures here.Please be respectful while taking photos though.

It was hard to capture how beautiful this church is. We just don't have historical places like this on the West Coast, so I was in awe. I grew up Catholic, so it brought back comforting memories. I lit a candle and sat in the wood pew to take in the sights, smells, and the beautiful colors of the stained glass with the sun shining through them. I love how they allow the public to come into the church to look around during times when they aren't having mass.

Beautiful, beautiful church! I felt like I stepped into a church in Europe! One of the prettiest sights in Savannah!

Absolutely gorgeous and free although they do take donations. Friendly staff. We went at Christmas and there was a gigantic very detailed nativity scene which was very impressive. I bought a Christmas ornament there with many choices of the stained glass pieces in the church. The organ was specifically made for this church and is a sight to see. Check times before you go because they do shut it down during services.

The church was beautiful. They asked for a donation but it was not required. To light a candle for a prayer that you had a donation request. I give it a 4 only because in my opinion there is historical importance to the building and some information would have been helpful. Not sure any takes note but the would on Jesus switches sides from one window to the next. Guessing those windows are expensive! It’s all. About the details! Lol

One of the best St Patrick's Day parades I've ever been to....the floats went on and on and on. Some very talented musicians, dancers, various local organizations represented.Didnt get into the Cathedral but was perched outside on the bleachers stands for a great viewing position.

Beautiful cathedral. The security guard outside was super friendly. Worth seeing if you're religious or just an architectural buff or maybe just like historical places.

Beautiful cathedral that has endured for such a long time. Went to their Christmas service that was very packed . As huge as it was, people still had to stand in the back. I come to this place almost every year to just enjoy the decorations and ceremony. A must see for anyone .

Es una bella joya de la arquitectura!Se siente una paz impresionante al caminar por sus pasillos.Sus vitrales, sus pinturas y sus diseños remontan la majestuosidad, belleza y la grandeza expresión humana.(Translated by Google)It is a beautiful jewel of architecture!You feel an impressive peace when walking through its corridors.Its stained glass windows, its paintings and its designs trace the majesty, beauty and greatness of human expression.

Always beautiful but extra special at Christmas. The Nativity is impressive! The stained glass, steeples and wood carvings are hypnotizing. Just gorgeous! A must see when visiting Savannah.

The Cathedral was beautiful. Such history in this beautifully preserved building. Please make sure to speak with anyone working there to give you the history of this place. Quite fascinating.

4.8

(6092)

5.0

(9832)

222 E Harris St, Savannah, GA 31401, USA

42 lists

I visited the Savannah Historic District last summer and had a wonderful time! It is such a beautiful area with a plethora of options for food, shopping, and entertainment. Many of the roads or paths I encountered were brick or cobblestone, which are beautiful but can pose issue to those who use wheelchairs or a blind person using a cane. Overall though, the brick walkways were very well kept and didn't seem to pose much of a risk at the time of my visit and there was not a lot of cobblestone. The main roads are paved. There is an area by the riverfront that utilizes a fair amount of stairs spread out, so if someone is in a wheelchair there will need to be a bit of a re-route to get to that specific area of the riverfront. It is a very lively and fun area with a lot of music and lights which is very fun, but if you are someone who struggles with sound sensitivity I would suggest bringing earplugs or your choice of aid to help damped that. Overall, a beautiful, must see area in my opinion, and has few inaccessible areas from my point of view in my visit.

Did trolley tours with two different tour companies; two different days (Thursday and Monday) and experienced many different guides and saw wonderful landmarks. If your a tourist visiting Savanah historic district I highly recommend using a trolley tour. There is so much to see and hear about.

What a beautiful city steeped with so much history. We took a 90 minute tour with Old Savannah tours (our tour guide was Hampton- he was fantastic). This is a place we definitely need to come back and spend some time in but if you've got 90 minutes to spare, you should make the detour!

I'm a huge history buff. The wealth of information and history here was worth the visit alone. Everyone must go to Savannah at least once in a lifetime.

We had a great time visiting the historic district. Many beautiful ancient buildings (build in 19th century) with great architecture, good parks, famous restaurants, beautiful tree tunnel, good river walk, museums, greenery and finally Church with beautiful architecture are the specialities of historic district. If you are visiting for one day, we recommend using old Town trolley tours of Savannah. Based on our experience this trolley service runs at good frequency and have hope off and on facility at major tourist attractions. For an extensive tour, a 2 day visit is needed for covering all the places. If you are coming by car, one major problem will be parking availability.

Great place to spend a beautiful day walking and taking photos.With dozens of shops and restaurants to keep anyone entertained. LotTo do lot to see.

Savannah has a great town with lots of interesting history. We enjoy walking around for a couple hours seeing all the amazing homes and parks/plazas.

Savannah's spirit is delightful. In each square and around every corner there is a unique experience. Take a quick glance at the city plan then just walk and explore N-S along Bull street and E-W on River Street, Broughton, Oglethorpe, .... all the way to Forsyth Park. The city is dotted with attractions ranging from historic jems to contemporary art galleries and inspiring architectural renovations. Savannah offers a first class experiences in all seasons, no need to wait for popular events or festivities. Just stop by for a day or a few and enjoy hospitality in this energetic southern bell.

So many preserved homes of a wide variety of styles and colors in old growth tree lined streets. Wear comfy shoes!

We did a trolley tour of Savannah's Historic District and it was really nice. The driver was really informative. It is a beautiful place. 😍

Walk the River than take the Old Town Trolly tour ride around once than hop off & on at any stop our tour guide Sam was great! We Ubered to waterfront cheaper than trying to park. If planning and you want to stay waterfront book in advance.

Absolutely gorgeous. Great walking city. Just watch where you walk cobblestones will trip ya!

Went for a girl's trip & stayed at the Marshall House! It is Gorgeous! We also went on a tour where we learned about the history of this beautiful area & how everything came about! The driver & his crew were very nice & knowledgeable! They made the tour exciting!! In conclusion, I recommend seeing this Beautiful part of GA. Too amazingly gorgeous to miss.

Just spent a few hours but will be back. Parked in the Visitors center, stopped in to get a map and advise. The lady was very helpful with suggestions based on my time there.

Such a fun place to explore! Cute squares of greenery and churches and historic houses. We spent a day here and thoroughly enjoyed.

Visited savannah for the first time. Two days are not enough to explore the place. It has got a lot of options and it’s really well developed ❤️Savannah is known for its real life greenery and ghosts but I didn’t found any so far 😂Love the placeSmall sweet and live

Good experience to ride the trolley down town and take the tour around the historic area. We also stopped for food at Spankys on the river. It was a great experience and the gift shops were reasonably priced

This was my first visit to historic Savannah. I only stayed two days, but I had a good time. I used a company called Kelly Tours to get an overview of Savannah. They take everyone through a 90-minute tour first. We had an excellent guide. Then you pick where you want to next. For example, you could call and say I'm at stop 9, I would like to go to stop 5. I called them three times. Each time, it took less than 5 minutes for them to get to me. Some stops were about a 10 minute walk, the weather was nice so I walked some. I feel like I saved so much time, and I saw everything that I wanted to see. I didn't get a lot of good pictures because there are lots of trees and greenspace.

Most site seeing places are entry free, on the river Bank side there was a fireworks 🎆 display for good 20-25 minutes ard 10pm it gets included under Destination fees with ur hotel booking.

First time visitor. Two days is not enough to experience all the district has to offer. Lots of. Museums and Art Galleries. The history and architecture is amazing. Take the trolley to get an idea of where you want to spend more time. The trolley operators can be fun and entertaining.

4.8

(6069)

5.0

(14398)

301 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Savannah, GA 31401, USA

+144 other lists

The park was beautiful and a lovely stroll down the center under the canopy of trees.Playgrounds were available, tennis courts, plenty of grass to place a blanket and relax.On our Sunday afternoon there were many homeless and at one end of the park they were having an event offering food and water for the homeless. It got a bit rowdy by a few attendees. A bit of yelling, pushing, throwing of water bottles. But the rest of our visit was pleasant.We walked down the center as well as on the outside parameters to enjoy the architect of the older homes.Be smart and be aware of your surrounding while visiting.

Loved this park! Easy to walk through and had so many cool things to look at! People were friendly and the architecture was just amazing! If you think you don't have time, you do! It really does not take long to walk through, we walked it before we were able to check in to our hotel, maybe 30 min tops! And we saw a lot in that time frame!

Such a beautiful park. Complete with its historic fountain and huge open green fields we didn't want to leave. It's a must stop for anyone who takes a trip to the shining jewel of the south, Savannah GA.

An absolutely beautiful park to visit, relax, exercise, or whatever you decide to do at that time. Trees are spectacular in their beauty, with lovely old homes surrounding the perimeter. There’s even a restaurant (Collins Quarter) available for eating or an outside coffee/drink window to order beverages. Definitely a “must visit” place while in Savannah.

Beautiful big trees around and peaceful park to rest, meditate, walk and also play. There are 2 kids park within the park. The Fountain in the center is very beautiful. Must go there and spend some Time.

Great park in Savannah. We got there in the morning and it was fairly crowded. Has historical statues. Has a lovely fountain. Has public restrooms and a restaurant and Leopold's ice cream parlor. The one at Broughton st usually has a long queue, so this might be a better option for you if you don't want to wait that long. People were enjoying themselves in the park and it was well maintained. I had a good time!!!

Great park in Savannah. I frequent visit this park due to it’s attraction. This time I visited in the late morning time and found very less people so feel comfortable to have family photograph.Don’t forget to buy painting or handmade ornaments (as a memory of park visit) sold by street vendors. You are supporting locals by buying some products .Park is clean and have public restroom. If you are with kids, they can enjoy in kids zone too

Park was absolutely beautiful! An early morning stroll was magical on this beautiful morning. The park was very clean and I loved looking at the fountain and reading all the statue plaques. I love history and this park is full of it. Statues prompted me to immediately go to google and find out more about the people they were erected for. Early morning is great because not a lot of tourists. Most were runners and walkers which lest the fountain wide open for pictures.

This is the one place I wanted to visit on my trip to Savannah and it did not disappoint. Beautiful park! Amazing fountain! It is set up perfectly from the minute you set foot in the park to see the fountain. Trees offer shade everywhere (good thing because we went in July and it was 98), benches for resting were too. It even has a snack bar/restaurant with outdoor seating. I’m not sure if there was indoor since we did not go inside and I have to say the cleanest public park restrooms I have ever seen in my life anywhere….seriously. A park is never complete without playground for kids which it has. It made me wish my Granddaughters were with us, they would of LOVED it! Great place to see, do not skip it and do not forget to take your picture in front of the fountain.

Had a wonderful morning stroll at Forsyth Park in Savannah, GA. Despite the recent storm, the park remained Lovely! Appreciated the dedicated crew diligently cleaning the sidewalks, enhancing the overall experience. A refreshing and enjoyable outing in January!

This park is located near downtown Savannah and has very open dog-friendly spaces and fields. Some old monuments are scattered around, which makes for a great Sunday stroll.We highly recommend checking out the nearby restaurant CQ for a lovely brunch and coffee. (They also have a to-go window that you can walk up to!)

It's a great park for spending a couple of hours playing with the family. There was playground equipment, a splash pad area, a restaurant, basketball courts, and a large grassy area for picnics or playing, not to mention the fountain and historical monuments. Bikes have to dismount through the main park area, so there's no worries about getting run over by a bicyclist while you are wandering through or taking pictures. The flowers and trees are gorgeous. My only complaint is the bathrooms are difficult to find, not the cleanest, and not kept up. Every stall was completely out of toilet paper.

Park with an area of 10 Acres. Beautiful and well maintained. This park has a beautiful fountain. We enjoyed our time here. There are many vendors selling paintings, souvenirs etc. This park has children's play area. This park has many seats to sit and relax. The park was crowded during our visit as it was saint Patrick's weekend.A must place to visit in Savannah for a cool atmosphere.

Stunning park that is safe and always well kept. The Farmers Market on Saturdays is great, has tons of food and fresh produce. There are always fun events in the park and Collins Quarter has done a great job with the concessions area. Great to just walk around, it's huge and you'll always find something new. Great to sunbathe and relax as well. The botanical garden is a hidden gem. 2 playgrounds for the kids and at least 2 football fields worth of open grass for sports or exercise. Beautiful full trees provide shade and ombiance.

This is an amazing park!. It has so much history and the water fountain is phenomenal to watch and enjoy the view. Nice place to come and sit and read a book or have a picnic with your love one's.

Very well-maintained beautiful park. Good place for a get-together. Play area and Splash pad are available for kids. I think it's difficult to get a car parking on weekends. The restroom is very clean, but there was a big queue in the ladies rest room.

This has to be one of the most beautiful, peaceful and idyllic places in all of Savannah. The park has lush grass and beautiful walkways lined with ancient trees that are dripping in Spanish moss. Different artists were stationed on one path selling sundries and at the end of the path was a gorgeous fountain. There is a small botanical garden in the park and surrounding the area were rows of gorgeous homes with tall ceilings and wrought iron, long shutters and inviting porches that remind you of the South.

Beautiful, serene park. Enjoyed our visit. It is dog friendly. Must see if visiting for the first time. I recommend walking through the park at dusk or early evening. We enjoyed viewing the holiday decorations and historic homes.

In this park you will find the city’s most famous fountain (installed in 1858 and modeled after the fountains at the Place de la Concorde in Paris).It has two playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, restrooms.Forsyth Park is dog-friendly and probably the top picnic destination in Savannah.The beauty and peacefulness of this park are appreciated by all who visit it.

This place is breathtaking.It feels alive. You can feel the history here. Felt safe the whole time. Slight difficulty finding a parking spot, but it is worth the challenge.

Obviously, it is gorgeous. Cannot go wrong taking the time to stroll through this beautiful park. I will miss all of Savannah's squares when I return home. The Farmers Market on Saturday was great also, with many vendors.

A must see- nice area, rented scooters and scooted to the fountain from our hotel. The trip there took us through all the squares, and the fountain was really pretty.

It is a beautiful historic park in the city's historic district. I love how the town maintains its beauty, especially its well-kept boardwalks and the water fountain in the park's center, which exudes classic elegance. This is an excellent place for locals and tourists to walk, jog, or relax.

Took my son to play on the playground on a Thursday. There are two playgrounds I found out. Some of the equipment is metal so be careful with the sun heating it up during the day. The equipment was in good shape. There are benches to sit at at the playgrounds. We enjoyed walking to the fountain. It was cool to see some local artists selling their artwork or jewelry along the paths. The restrooms are by the restaurant and it was clean when I used it. There is a fun little hidey garden near the smaller playground with roses and benches. The flowers were in bloom and so beautiful. We did get a parking spot by the tennis courts which is free.

Love going to Forsyth. Did the 5k walk which was very well organized. The park is great for people watching, enjoying a nice day, walking, events.

Top notch Park from end to end. Historic monuments pretty much every block for a 12 square block radius. The water fountain is amazing along with the rose garden building you walk in and the aroma of roses just smacks you in the face! I would recommend coming here if you are in the area because it's a nice place to get away from the big city while you're still in the big city.

Beautiful Park. I Felt safe there. I didn't see 1 police officer there unfortunately. The take out window staff at the park cafe where not so helpful or friendly. That didn't affect the park overall but next time I will take my money some place else.

This is a great park to stroll if you are visiting Savannah, big trees, fountain, large lawn to play, relax, walk, exercise, it has kids play area, stage etc. There is a restaurant, well maintained park and trails. When we visited, there were people selling their art inside this park on a trail. Restrooms were clean and were pretty busy on weekend. Paid parking around is available, sometimes on a walking distance.

Beautiful park and trees. Public bathrooms. Two playgrounds. Lots of grassy area for sitting and playing. There is a restaurant on site that we did not use. The fountain is gorgeous.

Went to this place twice. Yesterday it was raining super heavily and found no oneToday morning it was crowded. Nice place to every fortnight/monthly markets here.They got good stuffs like painting, posters, accessories, eatables, clutches, juices and much more.

Beautiful! This is a great park with lots of history. It’s a nice place to take your dog for a walk or go on a picnic. It was spread out so it didn’t feel crowded. We parked nearby for free and walked to eat down by the River Front!

An absolutely beautiful park with tons of Spanish Moss hanging in the live oaks. Tons of activity there, from basketball pick-up games to cricket, to volleyball.....book readers, music lovers, etc.

This park is a MUST VISIT for any tourist visiting the area. Beautiful park with a spectacular fountain surrounded by large trees.

Lots of open areas to sit. Bring a blanket to layout, no picnic tables to sit at.The fountain was green. Pretty cool for Saint Patty’s day.

Beautiful square and fountain! Great space to walk, sit, read, picnic, play, etcGreat restaurant inside the square as well, making it easy to enjoy all day.

For the tourists and locals - Depending on the time you are visiting, you will see different scenery. Don’t just pay attention to the famous fountain, look up to find the hawk (it likes to sit on the big branch higher than the lamppost height), owl (I haven’t found it yet 😅 but my friends seen a pair). The photo and video were taken in early Spring 2024. Eat the local honey (this year’s) if you are allergic to the pollen; I take it before and after visiting the park.Most of the locals chillax on the grass. I love the varieties of dogs in this park. If you want to experience some local creativity and what’s in the vicinity, visit on the weekends. There’s farmer markets, local and aspiring artists, for your stomach and 👀 . Oh yes, some musicians serenading 🎶🎺too. Parking can be challenging during peak hours and on the weekends after 9 a.m. Wear comfortable shoes. Bring water to hydrate. Use discernment when walking in the park. And 📸 ready!Stroll, don’t rush in the park, to enjoy the creations around you 😉. Many of the trees, plants, bushes were planted centuries ago for our enjoyment. To remind us we are a big family. Bonus: there are many beautiful historical homes of different styles around the (N, NE) park, which I absolutely love 😍. Check them out if you love architecture details and history.

3.5 is probably a more accurate rating… the homeless people (who cussed us out for sitting on the bench) sure put a damper on the visit!The park is super pretty, the tree cover over the sidewall makes it a great place to walk, and the water features were nice for the kids to play in.But, really… who wants to hang out with angry homeless people 🤷🏽‍♂️

4.8

(16914)

4.5

(9065)

Savannah, GA 31401, USA

+15 other lists

Super cool spot. We just happened to walk out at golden hour before sunset and there were tons of photographers here (and people). Well worth it for the sunset views.Very cool experience, ample parking (including ADA), and easy to access sand trails to the beach.

AMAZING! Located on the north end of Jekyll island. The remains of a forest eradicated by erosion stand as reminders of another time on this beach. Beautiful and haunting. Seeing the root systems exposed is so interesting. Lovely area with gentle waves. No pavilions with showers or bathrooms nearby. Street side parking with a walk down a sandy path gets you to the beach. Lovely area and not commercially developed. Quiet and relaxing. Perfect for a restful beach day. Highly recommend!

A beautiful and unique beach experience. The trees are fascinating and fun to climb or sit on to get great pictures. Next time we’ll bring our teenagers who would love taking photos here.

This is a really cool site to experience due to it's unique nature. Although you can certainly try to swim here it isn't the best beach for that setup, especially with kids with other places like the dune beach close at hand. The views late or early morning with the shadows on the fallen wood is amazing. Awesome place to enjoy a stroll and nature though.

Really Unique and worth the visit. Great view. We visited in the evening but Could not stay long because of constant mosquito bites. Have some type of mosquito repellent handy. Not sure if mosquitoes are an issue only certain times or always.

The place where the word "dramatic" never fails. Summer, winter, day or night the place to enjoy and take spectacular photos. It is comforting to know that such places still exist. to live so close by, Blessed!

I have never seen such a unique type of beach side like this before! The scenery of driftwood, naturally neglected here and there, is spectacular! I'm very satisfied to be here with my husband and my dog. You have to pay $10 at the gate to park inside Jekyll Island, but it's worth it! The water is muddy and not cold and there are things to watch out for. There were so many insects I have never seen before. I was wearing shorts and was bitten by an insect that sucked my blood. I'm sure it wasn't a mosquito, sandfly, or horsefly. It was another large insect. It bit me and made a lot of blood flow from my leg. Be careful and carry insect repellent.

It was wonderful experience it was first time visitIt is so fascinating just take a walk along the beach where you find many photo shots opportunities. There are so many dead trees and driftwood around you just need to observe to capture cool picsI recommend this place for either sunrise or sunsets for photo shotsNeed to be careful with all the crabs and mosquitos flies and so many different creatures.

Very nice and different kind of beach to visit. Unique strand with lots of old trees and wood in the sand. It's located near the end of the island so kind of out of the way so there was plenty of parking available. Great for exploring and walking.

We loved our visit here! The beach wasn't too crowded and there was enough driftwood to walk and climb around. Really neat and unique experience for both kids and adults.

Love, love, LOVE visiting this beach!! It's so beautiful and serene. Reminds me of something straight out of a Tim Burton movie. So much to see, very picturesque and looks completely different at night. You also have a terrific view of St. Simon's Island and their lighthouse in the distance. I drive down around twice a month to visit Jekyll and I always go to Driftwood Beach.

Really cool and unique natural environment to see. If you are visiting the golden isles this is a good site on Jeykll Island.Things to consider bringing your family:$8 to get on islandYou will be driving on a slow paced Island in neighborhoods so 25mph. No rush!Parking is a free-for-all in grass and other areas.No amenities so bathroom, food, medical on your own.No lifeguards, waters can be dangerous.Not wheelchair or mobility challenged friendly.Anywhere near 70s the bugs can be vicious.Can be packed so don't expect to get perfect photos at peak times unless you have one of those new phones that can erase people!Don't break off any branches. Leave nothing but footprints.

Absolutely spectacular view. One of a kind beach for sure ! Not a place to hang out all day because the 6 foot tide will push you off the little sand that is there at low tide.So worth the little walk and a beautiful photo opportunity if you're there at the right time. Sunset would be perfect! But the middle of the day was stunning in itself.Some spots have rocks, and some spots are open for a small swim. Water is not the clearest but is warm. Did see dogs on leashes there.

I came here to watch the sunrise & it didn't disappoint. This beach is absolutely beautiful!! There were tons of photographers capturing the sunrise & quickly cleared out once it was over. The trees on the beach are just so beautiful.

Fun place to visit. Not Driftwood per se, but sea water that has encroached on growing trees and eventually killed them. Great photos.

Really unique beach. There is a lot of photo opportunities. Just be careful when swimming because the rocks will sneak up on you. There is a $10 fee to get onto Jekyll Island.

There's Driftwood and there's Driftwood Beach's Driftwood. This place is incredible! The Driftwood seems like it goes on forever! And these aren't just branches of Driftwood, they're whole trees! Definitely gotta check this place out while in the area!

Wow...WOW!!! We visited at evening and in the early a.m. for the sunrise. Both are great but the sunrise is a MUST!! The gnats were pretty bad in the evening so I would suggest having some bug spray, but other than that--it is definitely a must see, especially if you love sunrises and want to get some unique pictures!

Driftwood Beach not only offers a close connection to nature and a serene atmosphere but also welcomes dogs and provides a haven for photography lovers. It is a hidden gem that combines the beauty of rustic driftwood, stunning coastal scenery, and a pet-friendly environment, creating a perfect blend of tranquility and inspiration.

This is truly driftwood heaven! It’s surreal walking around these huge driftwood. It’s like a sculpture park from nature. Located on the north end of Jekyll Island, it’s the highlight of our first trip to this island. There is a $10 entrance fee to Jekyllisland past the bridge.

Great dog friendly beach to take a stroll or have a picnic. The scenery is surreal. I came in the rain & in clear weather each was a great visit.

It had rained all night - I thought that the beach would be hard/boring to see under overcast skies. I rode a bike there and was thrilled to see how moody it actually was. Very surreal place, with dead trees and branches reaching out and upward. People were picnicing there and it really was a delightful experience.

By far the most unique beach I've ever been to! Don't expect to build sandcastles and lay out for a tan here, but do be prepared for some incredibly unique trees and rock formations!

This is one of my favorite places in Georgia. In the summer, it's the perfect place to go and play in the water. In the winter, it's the perfect place to walk along the beach, look at the shells, and hear the waves slap the sand. Whether you are single, married, or married with kids, Driftwood Beach is an outstanding place to visit.

Pretty cool place. Doesn’t feel like Earth. More of a wasteland for a beach. It fills up very fast so id get there early. Plenty of parking but it will be on the side. Seeing it at night is even cooler. You have a good view of St Simons Lighthouse as well. Be careful in the water as there are many jagged rocks to step on scattered in the shallows

Absolutely gorgeous sunrise spot! Beautiful nature, it's like nothing I have ever seen. Easy to get to and with waking up early!

4.8

(3528)

4.5

(3058)

Jekyll Island, GA 31527, USA

+6 other lists

My kids enjoyed this a lot (11 and 9). It is pretty small, one building has the patients in and has information about them all, the other is more of an information center/museum. There are several hands on displays and you can watch the staff working on injured turtles. This place does great work and is definitely worth supporting.

Education and fun. We took two grandsons to see the turtles. The older was very interested. The 4 yo mainly wanted to turn knobs and play with things. The exhibit was very well laid out and the turtle hospital was also good. What really makes the place is the volunteers. They have so much knowledge that they want to share. They also make it much more interesting for the younger patrons.

I've been wanting to go here for a long time and really enjoyed our visit. As you walk in there's a huge store with a large selection of Georgia Sea Turtle Center merchandise. After the store is a nice exhibit with lots of information about sea turtles and rehabilitation. You can walk outside and visit the area where the sick and injured turtles are being cared for. We attended "Meet the Patients", which was a 20-minute talk about the different patients in the tanks. It's a very nice facility and they do amazing work here. A must visit when on Jekyll Island.

Very cool place. With a biology degree and having worked at a zoo, I’m not the biggest fan of most places that house animals unless they are rehabilitation focused. The sea turtle center is the greatest practitioner of what I look for. Their focus is rehabilitation! The pomp and circumstance that you often find with zoos and the like is not present here, but they still do a great job of educating visitors and all money spent for admission and souvenirs go back toward the center. It seems small, and you may not spend much time here, but the work they do is necessary and deserving of every penny you give them.

This place is so cute and wonderful. We got to watch vets work on baby turtles, see tons of rehabilitation on sea turtles and some baby box turtles, and even play a few games inside. The gift shop is really lovely too!! Well worth the visit if you’re on Jekyll Island.

Kids loved it, parents too! Go to see turtles and give for a good cause! Adults $10, kids $8.We spent about 75 min enjoying all the information and seeing dozens of turtles.The turtle hospital is impressive. Information is available on each turtle and the reason for their stay.The staff is passionate and knowledgeable. Volunteers are dedicated.Free adjacent parking, follow the white turtles painted on the road.Large giftshop for best souvenirs on the island and to support a great organization.

I am so happy I brought my kids to visit! I used to drive down while stationed at Fort Stewart (it was much quieter 20 years ago), but sharing this experience with them will be a flashbulb memory. The Staff is patient and kind, plus incredibly knowledgeable.

I visited a few weeks ago and truly enjoyed the time I spent here learning about the sea turtles. The staff members I spoke to were very knowledgeable and friendly and answered all of my questions. It was a fun and educational experience. I loved learning about the rehabilitation process and how they treat the different conditions of the patients. I will definitely visit again the next time I am in the area.

Small but definitely worth a visit. Kids enjoyed this place, but so did we two seniors. If you love nature and love learning, you need to visit and support their efforts to educate and save these beautiful creatures. We met Park Rangers and Volunteers who are working to rehabilitate injured wildlife. Thank you!

It's a hospital to rehabilitate sea turtles. There is fun informative activities for kids. It's not massive but it feels like you are supporting a neat cause. If there aren't turtles it's good and bad. It's good that there aren't any that need medical attention but you won't get to see any. The staff was super nice and could answer all of our questions.

Really nice place great for young kids to see a lot of sea turtles up close. They have a great set of guilds that tell you about all the turtles in the rehab area and had viewing window of surgery. They have gators there as well.

Kids loved it along with the parents too!We spent about an hour and a half enjoying all the information and seeing dozens of turtles.When going inside you walk into the gift shop then head into exhibit. There is a path that leads outside to the hospital which was informative. There is information beside each turtle with their name and the reason for their stay.We got to see baby turtles that had hatched a week or two prior to our visit!

My sons enjoyed visiting here. We went on 4th of July and they were open. It is a smaller center but there is a lot to see. I was surprised to see how many sea turtles they actually had. We got to see them treating one of the loggerheads that was ill. They had baby Terrapins too which was cool to see. It was $10 a person to visit the center but if you’re on Jekyll and have run out of things to do on the island, I recommend.

This was a little difficult to navigate to so make sure to use GPS. Very little cell service. The museum is a little small but the rehabilitation center is worth it all. Friendly staff and very educational. I spent 2 hours just in the rehab center talking with the volunteers and learning about the turtles they have now.

This was a very cool place. The museum had several interactive storyboards. The hospital was opened to the public and they give talks about all the patients. Also, the gift shop had great items. Well worth a visit.

Wonderful that this place exists and is able to rescue so many sea turtles, and nurse them back to health. Fantastic volunteers who are super knowledgeable and also very friendly. The center is not very large, but it does offer all the information you could want about sea turtles as well as the challenges they face out in the ocean, and is definitely worth a visit.

This is a great place to come see. It is a little small but nice. It is about a hour to two hours to do the whole this. There is three rooms. The gift shop, the information center and the turtle rehab tubs. Lots of information. Do not expect an Aquarium. You will be disappointed. Expect a small facility.

This place was great, not at all what I expected. I was hoping it was a place that had more interaction with the turtles and closer. The information was great and being able to see and hear about saving the turtles and what all they do to help was great.

Very educational for people of all ages. The funds from admission go to the rescue, rehabilitation and research for the facility. I really enjoyed my time!

My children and I loved visiting the turtle center. Anna was wonderful, explaining to us all about the rescued turtles and doing a great demo of what they eat. We loved it and hope to return on our next visit.

Very cool experience. There is a lot to see from an interactive museum to a sea turtle hospital. Well, worth a visit.

We visited the turtle sanctuary on a Tuesday in June. We did not have advance purchase tickets but it was not an issue, although we did not do the behind the scenes tour. It was $12.00 a person to get in which supports the sanctuary. There is a gift shop, hands on stations for kids (and adults) that gives insight to the life and migration of different turtles. There is a sea turtle hospital that houses injured and sick turtles along with other types of sea animals. (There was an injured alligator when we were there). It was small, and did not take a lot of time to see, but we were glad we did it since our admission helped the sanctuary!

This is a cute little sea turtle center. It is smaller and you don’t need a ton of time to see it all-maybe an hour at max if you read everything. But lots of turtles they rescue and it’s a great facility to visit and donate to so more turtles can be rescued!

Kind of disappointed with the center because the exhibits are mostly reading and lift-the-flaps rather than truly interactive. The rehabilitation area was interesting, however, and we were able to see a few sea turtles swimming in their little “hospital rooms.” The gift shop was nice.

This was great and so fun for my toddler (and the adults)! All the staff we met were very friendly and knowledgeable. I loved learning about the rehabilitation process and turtles in general.

I enjoyed my visit here but do feel it could do a little more to engage visitors/increase the experience.Your visit is mostly self guided although someone does speak about the turtles for about 15 minutes inside the rehab. The indoor exhibit has some turtle facts and also a viewing area into the hospital room; they were cleaning a little guys flipper who had recently been brought injured.The rehab area had a number of pools with turtles inside. Some of the turtles had to be viewed by looking at a mirror and you are a distance away from the turtles so it is kind if hard to see them.Our visit lasted 30 minutes and that was with us really taking our time- our ticketed time slot was 9a-10a. I thought there would have been more of a presentation/tour. I wouldn't personally go out of your way for this visit.

4.6

(2623)

4.5

(1947)

214 Stable Rd, Jekyll Island, GA 31527, USA

+68 other lists

I Absolutely Love This State Park! Well Maintained and Clean. The Staff are Amazing... Friendly and Happy to Talk about the History of the Fort. The Fort is a Must See and the Beach is So Beautiful. Can't wait to come back when i have more time and walk the long trail. Definitely a must see if you are in the area!

Went to this park for the first time recently and it is a great park. There are some amazing beaches with nice easy access as well as the first itself. There are also many campsites for both campers and tents however I didn’t camp overnight so couldn’t speak to the overnight accommodations. As for the fort, it’s definitely worth checking out. I’ve been to several historic forts in Florida and this was definitely my favorite. It’s very in tact compared to what I expected after seeing others.

Absolutely love camping here when we can get a spot. It doesn’t matter if you are in the river campground or the beach campground, they are both very close to the beach. Only electric and water at each campsite but the dump station is easily accessible and is not next to any RV sites.Very clean restrooms that are cleaned daily with bleach. Good ventilation so the floors dry. Campground hosts available for any issues.

This place is beautiful. I enjoyed the tranquility, the nature trails (Willow Pond Nature Trail) the grounds, and the views of the fort. The beach stroll was equally delightful. The highlight for me was the stunning wildlife. For the first time in my life, I saw white-tailed deer grazing and enjoying life. I’m happy they have a safe space here. I also saw a big, cute turtle. The beach wasn’t crowded, so I was able to relax, take in the sights, and listen to the water crashing against the rocks. The drive up to the parking lot is amazing too, with a tree canopy covering the entire road.

If you were a fan of history this is a must visit. Usually the line of cars waiting to get in are heading to the beach and not to the fort. So you can have a great day out with the family at an attraction like this without the crowds. And then when you’re done it’s a short walk over to the beach. Facilities are limited bring your own picnic lunch and water

This state park is gorgeous. The beach is gorgeous, pristine, and has TONS of shells. The fort is amazing to explore and walk through, and their prices are extremely reasonable. We spent hours here and enjoyed all of it. The fort can take hours to explore, and we spent hours walking the beach and collecting shells. I would visit again in a heartbeat and hope to the next time we make a trip down this way. The restrooms were nice and clean, and the gift shop had great prices. I absolutely loved the fort and being able to walk around in it freely. There are some areas not allowed to be explored, but most of it is, and it's so worth the stop. We stopped as it was the first beach in Florida on our way down, and our daughter wanted to see the ocean for the first time. I'm so glad we made the choice to stop here.

We absolutely loved our experience here. We really enjoyed getting to explore the Fort inside and out. The Fort had some really neat brickwork and architecture. There were SO many great photo opportunities! We hunted for shark teeth on the beach by the fort but we didnt find any. We took the smaller nature trail (Willow Trail) and it was very nice and and easy walk. The Egan's look out was nice as well. It's a beautiful 3 mile drive from the gate to the fort. We highly recommend the Fort and park in general for an inexpensive nice day of exploring! It costs $6 to enter the park and $2.50 per person for the Fort. Well worth it!!!

The drive in is absolutely gorgeous, canopied oaks with deer peeking out. The fort itself is a very cool piece of history. Standing beside some of those gun batteries does not make you envious of an assaulting force. Multiple jetties to fish and a ton of coastline battered with shells by the raging Atlantic. The hiking and biking trails are well cut and easy to share, I was on foot this trip. Not far from here you can drive on the beach, in a much more relaxed environment than Daytona ever is. Really. Great facilities, as most of Florida’s State Parks do. Will definitely be a return trip someday!

This state park is a wonderful and vast state park that everyone should be sure to visit. It is a long beautiful drive in with smaller access roads breaking from man road leading to campsites and trail heads. At the end of the road there is Fort Clinch. The fort is well maintained with nice bathrooms in the front, a small gift shop where souvenirs or camping needs can be purchased. The fort is an additional charge to visit.

Very easy access and an informative self guided tour. The grounds are immaculately taken care of. The gift shop has a well stocked selection of very affordable items. This is a must visit location when visiting Amelia Island.

I'm not a history buff, but for $2.50/person to enter the fort I figured I'd check it out. I thought it was really neat just to walk around looking at a 150 year old fort, it's a peak into the way others lived long ago and how times sure have changed. It's nearly completely open to walk around wherever you'd like, there's only a few locked doors in the buildings, so it was fun to see what was inside all of the different buildings. I recommend checking it out if you're already going for the beach. Tickets to enter the fort can be purchased in the visitors center, which also has a gift shop inside.I also went to the beach, there's plenty of parking in the lot. I went specifically to find a sharks tooth, and unfortunately could not find one. I did talk to another person which had found several small ones they showed me.

I love this park! So much to do! Nature trails, the fort, the beach etc The scenery is so beautiful and we even saw some deer the other evening while headed to the East access beach! Great for finding seashells! One of the best spots for shells I've found yet! Found 2 sand dollars and a bunch of conchs!!

One of the best fort museums I have been to. It's 6 bucks to get a car into the park and another $2.50 per person for the fort. The museum is small but informative. What makes this fort so great is pretty much everything is open to the public. Some rooms were blocked off but you could climb the bastions or walk the walls. Barracks spaces and office spaces were open, too. The view is also spectacular. And once you are done, you are just minutes from a beach to hang out on.

We stayed beachside in spot #9. This park is absolutely beautiful. Deer, tortoises, birds, and amazing sunsets. Park was very well kept with clean facilities throughout. Super impressed!

I am a giant history buff and I usually love places like this but it's a big NO for me. DEFINITELY HAUNTED. 💯 my husband and I were so uncomfortable by the paranormal feelings we were experiencing we had to leave. As we were leaving I did some research and apparently it's one of the most well known haunted places in the area (not advertised that way!!) We had our boys with us ages 2 and 6 and it was absolutely NOT SAFE for them.

My family absolutely loves Fort Clinch.I wouldn’t recommend going in the summer because it’s insanely hot but if you can go in the fall it’s an amazing day trip! You can walk around the beach, there’s a small kids park and there are so many different nooks and crannies to discover in the fort. And if you’re there on a reenactment day it’s so exciting. We also started the junior ranger program for our kids on this trip and they were able to obtain Fort Clinch patches.

Great state park to go camp at. Though if you go during the summer, I recommend camping in the River loop because there is hardly any shade on the beach loop, though being a telescope if you are by the beach, some good night star viewing. The fort itself is also very worth the visit to learn about weapons and history of fort life, they also do a number of reenactments every month so check the calender, they'll demonstrate firing of the weapons including a cannon. Also take some time to bike or walk the nature trails and beaches, as they provide a chance for some solitude and reflection

This park is gorgeous! From towering dunes to ancient oak trees to a historical fort, it is an incredibly diverse location with rich natural resources and broad appeal. As a birder, I was excited to have a variety of preserved habitats. The marshy overlook had great shorebirds and the extensive hardwood canopy was a sure bet for warblers and other passerines. The shoreline was great for seabirds, shorebirds and sharks’ teeth. There is a narrow multi-use path for bicyclists and pedestrians that runs through the park. During our visit, we only used small stretches of the path to access some of the views, but it looked amazing. The only negative is that this place gets packed, and during peak times, closes to new visitors to limit capacity. There seems to be a lot of zippy traffic on the road and I could never figure out why people are in such a hurry when there is so much beauty even on the main road. If you’re in the area and are a nature lover, this should definitely be on your list!

Such an amazing piece of history. Well maintained lots of little facts located around the fort great for self exploration. Wonderful walking trails outside the fort and around the beach area. The beach is usually quite and peaceful a great place to find sharks teeth just walking along the shore. The family and I look forward to returning for the history and beach-time fun.

Sublime and relaxing. Canopy of trees with Spanish Moss and Palmetto everywhere. Facilities include bright and clean bathrooms with shower stalls, washers and dryers ($2 per load) The fort is a major draw and the river has sandy beach along its shoreline. Plenty of hiking trails. A bike is a good have as the place is huge.

Very beautiful park with different reenactments of key eras in Fl history. Very educational to see the memorabilia, the fort. The views of the beach are beautiful! We stopped to see the fort on our way home from Amelia island and didn’t have time to hike the park, but it looked like a great park for hiking and biking.

It's a very nice park with several RV camping area and ALOT of shoreline to walk through. There's also Ft Clinch, which is still standing and in fairly good shape. The beach areas were very nice. There's a small gift shop that is surprisingly well stocked. My wife and I enjoyed our visit there!

The fort and the park are both stunning! Breathtaking views, incredible natural wildlife, and cooling breezes. Mom and I had a blast, learned a lot of history, saw a gator in the Willow Pond trail area (in the water, away from us!), and I even found multiple shark teeth on the beach of the East inlet. 🦈Excellent location for solo travelers or families of all ages and sizes. Many people driving, camping, hiking, and biking. Also saw multiple people with their pets or children in strollers/wagons.

This was our first time to visit this place. The entrance was very cheap to go in and the site was very interesting. Most areas of the fort can be accessed by the public. They keep on restoring the original site and I can't wait to go back and see you when it's fully done. I think 42 adults and 2 children it costs us about 20 to $25. I recommend checking this place out because it's a good part of American history. There are restrooms at the visitors center only.

Clean restrooms! No driving on the beach not a worry to me. Outdoor showers to rinse off. Plenty of ocean life, seashells and sharks teeth. Places to camp both tent and camper. Trails to walk on! The fort itself is pretty darn cool and great photo spots.6.00 dollars to get in not too bad....worth it to me for clean restrooms! There is a ramp to get on beach but not much after the ramp if there is a wheelchair friend.

My husband and I, always eager for a daytime adventure, found ourselves drawn to Fort Clinch State Park during our stay in Amelia Island. We had driven past it a few times and curiosity got the better of us - a decision we’re now incredibly grateful for. The park not only offered excellent campgrounds but also revealed itself to be a historic gem.Upon entering, we were immediately struck by how well-preserved the fort is. It’s like stepping into a different era. The museum-like demonstrations are exceptionally well done. We explored the sleeping quarters, kitchens, latrines, jailhouse, storage areas, and even a store and steelworks. Also several real life artillery and cannons were on display. Each section was an insightful glimpse into the past, making it easy to imagine life during those times. The attention to detail in these demonstrations was remarkable, offering a vivid and educational experience.The most captivating aspect of Fort Clinch is how it immerses you in history. It’s not just about seeing; it’s about feeling the past around you. We spent hours wandering through the grounds, absorbing every detail, and left with a newfound appreciation for the history of the area.Our visit to Fort Clinch has inspired us to plan a camping trip there on our next visit to Amelia Island. The thought of spending a night under the stars, surrounded by such rich history, is thrilling. We highly recommend Fort Clinch to anyone visiting Amelia Island, whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or just looking for a unique way to spend your day. It’s a must-visit destination that offers a perfect blend of education, nature, and adventure.

Had an absolute blast visiting here. The drive from the entrance to the Fort was an absolute beautiful path through what felt like untouched woods. The staff and the volunteers at the Fort were friendly, informative, and fun. Views were beautiful and the history was interesting.

The park was great to ride our bicycles around. We also went to thevactual Fort at this state park. They had bicycle racks there too. My husband said this was the best fort that made him feel like you could be right there with the soldiers. Very well maintained! Canons overlooking the water. Bunk house with gun rack at the end of the beds for soldiers to put their weapons. Kitchen was set up with huge pots, cooking utensils of the day. Well worth the price of admission!

We had a wonderful time viewing thefort, we really enjoyed the state park, and the soldiers there had a full working knowledge of what life would’ve been like. They answered all of our questions. When Guests are in the area visiting with us. We will be taking them up to the fort so they can see it.

I love this place so much. The wooded, moss-covered drive to the fort is breathtaking, and the fort itself is absolutely gorgeous and so well-kept! The history is fascinating, and the views are amazing. Kids and adults alike will enjoy Fort Clinch!

Must see while visiting Fernandina Beach. Spectacular and amazing site to see. Very well kept and clean! The park entrance fee is $6 per car and the Fort Clinch entrance fee is $2.50 per person. Very much worth the cost. You are able to access most of the buildings on the fort. I was surprised how open and accessible it was.

This was a nice sized fort. It had a lot of cool buildings with what felt like secret passageways. Lots to explore here. If you are on Amelia Island, it's a great place to check out.

This fort was built strong and proud. Those who served here had amenities and thoughtful fort design to live a pretty nice life. Absolutely worth visiting. The drive into the fort was beautiful. Great lighthouse nearby.

Wonderful time visiting this fort with our family. Highly recommend this historical site for a visit as the views overlooking the ocean is amazing. Lots of artifacts and history to see and learn.

4.8

(4987)

4.5

(3659)

2601 Atlantic Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, USA

+76 other lists

Tickets were $30 a person for general admission, and we bought ours in advance the night before. Had an absolutely amazing time and spent roughly 5 hours exploring. Got rained out once and it only added to the adventure. Everything here is so well organized and beautifully designed.

Exceptional zoo to visit, where from Michigan and me and my daughter went in 2022 in April and you definitely get the full activity out of the animals then, Took the wife and kids this year in July and the heat sure takes a toll, animals hide the heat wave but one of the best Zoo's I've been too. Prepare to spend around 5 hrs there to enjoy it all.

1000/10! The tickets that you purchase automatically include animal feedings which is incredible. Every single staff member we came into contact with was kind and genuinely seemed to enjoy their job. I absolutely love how when they designed this zoo they did so around the natural wildlife/world not the other way around. The animals were very well taken care of and also seemed to enjoy their habitats. They also did a great job of communicating if there was an animal not currently out for viewing why that was and when to expect them back. Great zoo!

4.5 stars. Lots of exhibits currently under renovation, and they are currently building a manatee rescue center. A good variety of animals. Lots of walking. Plan to stay at least 3-4 hours to see most of the park. We loved the train that constantly circles the park. If you need to buy water, know it’s about 5$ a bottle, but there are fountains to fill your own near the bathrooms. Was most impressed by the plants and landscaping, it’s like the whole park is inside a garden; during late July everything was blooming and very beautiful. They encourage you to buy tickets online before you even enter the park and this does make entry nearly seamless if you can have your bar code ready on your phone.

Pleasantly surprised! Friendly staff, well maintained.Was surprised to find out they don't take cash, you have to order you tickets in advance,even the gift shop only takes plastic, 😏The animals were all out, adequate romping room for all animals The staff were out on the grounds. Ready to answer any questions you have. Wear you're walking shoes place is huge. Expect to spend at least 3 plus hours. Pack your lunch, enjoy your day, bring your bugs spray. You may need it in certain areas. The time we went December wasn't cold, wasn't hot. It was just right. Was not overly crowded either. We had a very enjoyable day

This zoo is PERFECT! Just the right size for a day trip. It’s easy to get from one part to the next. I recommend taking the train as soon as you enter so you can start at the furthest part then work your way in. Everything is priced extremely well. The splash pad is so perfect to just get your feet wet or let the kiddos get full out soaked. The staff was very accommodating and the full experience was well worth it. The animals are well cared for and had great exhibits.

This is a very nice zoo with a good layout. Nice easy walks along paved paths and boardwalks. Very clean. A wonderful assortment of animals, birds, reptiles, etc. most free to roam in large open areas. Restrooms are available in several areas. There were a few different places to grab either specific things like ice cream and sweets, or an order and take your meal to outside tables. Tickets seem a bit pricey and MUST BE ORDERED ONLINE so it’s best, and cheaper, to order in advance. If you buy on the day you go, they add on $5 per ticket. Also an additional $10 per ticket if you purchase the ‘total experience’ as opposed to ‘general admission’. Check out the benefits of that on the website. I purchased a senior total experience ticket the day I was going and it was 42.95. It is a great place that wasn’t too crowded and was wonderful to stroll the grounds and ride the train to the other end of the park and back at my leisure!!

Great day all around. Although the rain was messy, the showers were scattered so it left a fall like temperature and breeze behind. Not too hot. Plus, the animals had been inside mostly due to rain so they were all out moving and stretching their legs for us to enjoy.... quite nice ..... next time.... give a rainy day a try

If you haven't been to the zoo lately, you should go! The newer habitats are amazing! The food at the Trout River Grill has had a makeover and my burger and fries were delicious! The bathroom facilities could use a little TLC and some of the older habitats could use some attention. Overall it was a great visit!

We drive from middle GA to visit this zoo often. Definitely one of our faves! We love the 4D theatre and train ride. The various events definitely enhance the attractions. I’ve done date nights, family outings and girls nights out here and all have been great!

Colors of the wild was amazing. Way better than the normal zoo lights. Great for any age. The zoo signed a 3 year contract so its coming back the next 2 years. Its a separate ticket from the regular zoo ticket but worth it.

A wonderful zoo. It has a large and interesting layout based on different parts of the world. Even in the heat the animals were taken well care of and seemed sleepy but happy. A great range of different mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. They have different fun building and exhibits that you can take a break in for air conditioning. There are also water bottle refill stations near every bathroom which was nice. Would definitely recommend starting your day closer to when the zoo opens.

It's always nice to spend the day with my grandkids. Nice friendly staff and lots of animals to see. Tickets are purchased online only. I purchased the adult total experience for 32.95. Includes 4D Theater, Unlimited Train, Unlimited Carousel Rides, and Animal Feedings (limited). Zoo hours are 9am-5pm

Nice well kept zoo. We visited right before their holiday lights events so got to see some of them in the daylight. Staff was kind. The park was calm and relaxing. Music was delightful. I wish there was a two day ticket option at a discount.

Beautiful zoo. We enjoyed the train ride. The kids splash area was a wonderful perk. My kids enjoyed petting the sting rays, and feeding the giraffes. Wasn't overly crowded. Zoo keepers were all very friendly and pleasant.

You have to buy your tickets online. I don't know if that was just that day or that it is like that all the time. It was easy to pay online if you have a phone and enternet. Feeding the giraffe was the best part of the whole experience. The whole experience package is so worth the extra $10 bucks. You get the train, feedings, and so much more. Water was $5, but that's at any event really these days.

Great place to take kids! This is the first time I went to a reptile exhibit that did not smell. Animals looked healthy and well taken care of. The staff was friendly and super nice. They have a new baby jaguar that is so adorable.

Beautiful zoo! Great spaces for all the amazing animals! We did the total experience. It was a little pricey, but it got us access to participate in all the animal feedings, the 4D 20-minute movie experience, and unlimited rides on the carousel and train that goes around the entire park. Would definitely recommend if traveling in the area! My wife and I loved it!

One of the best zoos I have been too. the staff first of all is Amazing 🤩🤩🤩 EVERYONE was very friendly, and helpful. The animals were all amazing to look at. Very clean and well fed animals. It's perfect to take your entire family for a fun filled amazing outing. My husband,Son and I had an amazing visit... Great for all ages and great prices worth every penny!!!

Beautiful place to go in the evening and see lights display.They really did a great job turning a Zoo into magic place.It's awesome for children any age,as well as adults,very pleasant walk throughout the place with all the light displays of animals, plants,trees along with background music.Price of the tickets are worth going.Plenty of parking available.

I absolutely loved the Jacksonville zoo! The animals were out and about and even the big hollow outs were very pretty to look at! The scenery was so beautiful in some areas I totally forgot I was at the zoo! The only thing I'm salty about is the fact that adults can't ride the animals on the Merry go round🙄other than that I'd definitely recommend going if you are around there!!

We loved the Zoo. Definitely recommend getting the total experience ticket for the train ride and to feed the animals. Only thing I didn't like was the food selection / quality and the restrooms. While they were clean, not a baby changing station to be found.

My zoo experience was great. The parking was free. It was really cool to see the giraffe so close! Some people were able to feed the giraffe. The zoo has a splash pad and other kid activities. You can pet the sting rays. Some areas are air conditioned which is fantastic especially in the Florida heat. We ended up getting our tickets online prior to our arrival.

There’s so many great things to say about Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. This is a wonderful place that the entire family will love, it’s also great for dates or some alone time. All of the exhibits are easily accessible for all. With restaurants and refreshment stands throughout the park, you could easily spend the entire day enjoying the zoo. The staff are all very friendly and helpful. It’s best to purchase your tickets in advance, and you have 60 days to use the tickets after your purchase day.

We love our zoo! I have grown up with the Jacksonville Zoo and have probably visited 100 times at least. As an adult with a family of my own I’ve had a zoo membership for many years. My family loves visiting, and we always see new things! The exhibits are ever changing, the gardens/plant life are gorgeous, and there’s so much to do. My kids love the kid area with mazes, a petting zoo, splash park, and playground. We also love to visit during the year round special events that the zoo hosts.The only thing I wish was different was the ability to pay for different things like Stingray Bay, train, feeding giraffes, carousel, etc. We don’t always want to pay for the total experience. We miss the days of paying a few dollars for each, but we understand that the zoo is also a business working to pay for conservation efforts.If you visit Jacksonville or NE Florida our zoo is worth stopping at. You could easily spend the day exploring there, and I promise your kids will love it!

We love coming here from time to time. You can easily spend the whole day here. On average, we spend around 4.5 hours, including a lunch break. All the animals were out this trip. We personally do not get the full experience pass, and we do not feel like we are missing out. General admissions tickets are okay for us. We highly recommend visiting!

I have to say this was a nice surprise. We decided to try to get in as soon as the park opened, this was a good thing since it was nice and cool out we got to see the cats during their feeding time so they were out and about. I definitely recommend going early. Such a beautiful layout and they’ve done a really nice job with this Zoo!!

Absolutely in love with the Jacksonville zoo! I was very impressed how the zoo was set up and the many exhibits that were there. Most all the animals were out and playing. I arrived at 9am on a Saturday (perfect weather kind of day) and I didn’t feel over crowded at the exhibits. Due to being military, we waiting in line for tickets, but the line to get in was not bad! They did offer extras to do but we didn’t stay long enough. It was a great “leg stretcher” after being in the car for a long road trip. We left by 11:15 and the parking lot was definitely full. I did love the vendors in the zoo! One of the vendors took phenomenal pictures of animals and sells them! They are affordable and great quality too! I really recommend this zoo and if we are back in the area, we are definitely going back !! The jaguars were definitely our favorite as well as the penguins!

Beautiful zoo, friendly employees! We didn't eat here as we came pretty late, we came about 2 hours before they closed so we didn't really get to see everything but I will say it took about 30 minutes past 5 for the bike security to come and get us out and they were very nice.

Nice zoo. Visited it on my way to Miami mostly because of the great giraffe overlook they have and wasn't disappointed. The "Colors of the Wild" exhibit is great, plants and animal figures are installed all over the Zoo and they look amazing! Unfortunately, I didn't have time to enjoy them in the dark, it must be spectacular.

The zoo is very clean and tidy. The train goes all the way to the back for a stop and then back to the entrance. We recommend starting with the land of the tiger and then slowly walking forward. There are many paths leading off from the main path to the attractions/animals. There are drink and food stands everywhere. The staff are friendly and helpful. The 4D cinema was interesting and the images of the animals were amazing.

My wife and I were looking for something to do this weekend and decided to give this a chance, and we were so glad we did . It was so beautiful the lights and all the different types of animals and bugs was just amazing they had a kids interactive area they had several concession stands and 102 restaurants open for food and snacks . The cost to get in was 25 dollars pre person and it was open from 5:30 to 9:30 pm but you can buy a early entry pass for additional fee and enter at 3:30 there is plenty of parking. And it was very crowded. But if you are looking for something to do this weekend or next give it a try you will be glad you did .

We are still here everyone is having a good time there is children, the senior citizens there are plenty of families there are plenty of chairs to sit and eat plus there are booster seats for toddlers I didn't see any high chairs but that doesn't mean they don't have any I just don't see them you can rent a scooter for 27.00 all day and you can rent a stroller for your baby for 9.00 all day. The hamburger was thick and and delicious and the french fries were thick also and delicious.

This Zoo is huge. The train ride was beautiful and so much fun! Also very informative. There are 2 places to get on and off. Me and my family spent almost 6 hours here, that was getting to see everything and eat. So it will make a day full. You can get closer to the animals than any zoo I have been too. It was really neat. I would say order your tickets online! I'm so glad we did. Also get the Total Experience! It is so worth it!

Jacksonville Zoo Color of the Wild was amazing!!! A must see for all ages. As you walk the zoo grounds, you will encounter the most incredible lantern displays. From veggies, to butterfly, to safari animal to under the sea, to enchanting Japanese dragons. INCREDIBLE!!!! Probably took about an hour forty five to walk. Wheel chair stroller accessible. Children area to explore and food and shopping. Starbucks at entry. Clean bathrooms throughout. Plenty of parking and attendants kept great flow bringing guest in and out. You can purchase ticket in advance on line. Check weather and dress accordingly.

Such a beautiful zoo! So much more than just the animals (which are amazing too). Take your time not only to check out all the animals but to enjoy the gardens. It's a nit of a walk to the tiger area but so worth it! If you get tired you can always sit on one of the many benches around the zoo.

We had never been here before, came here on vacation. It was amazing. The exhibits were impressive, there was lots of spaces for kids to get energy out and the animal feedings were so cool! The 4d show was okay, but that is the only thing we considered kind of take it or leave it about. The staff was helpful, knowledgeable and kind and we spent a full day here without feeling bored.

The Jacksonville zoo is an awesome place to go! Me and my daughter go every chance we get. Highly recommend getting the wristband. Feeding the giraffes and the birds was an amazing experience. Staff there is outstanding and very knowledgeable about the animals. Loved seeing the jaguars!

Awesome experience! Plan for 3 hours to cover everything. Very good layout, easy to navigate. Get tickets a day prior to save $5 per ticket. Bring your own food and water! Wheelchair friendly🤩

This was such a nice zoo! All the animal enclosures were well maintained and all of the animals looked to be very healthy and happy. It's a smaller zoo than I would have imagined but it's still a good place to spend time at. I think we were there for about 4hrs.From what I was told you have to buy tickets online in advance. Unless you are buying discounted tickets for say military then you would buy them at the customer relations counter.Overall it was a great experience.

4.6

(18780)

4.5

(3295)

370 Zoo Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32218, USA

+114 other lists

One of my favorite forts! This location has so many interesting places to walk around and check out throughout the whole fort as you learn so much from every place you look in! I managed to come in for free on National Park Day so definitely take advantage when it happens! Make sure to arrive on some days where they demonstrate a cannon launch! It’s an experience I would never forget! Definitely bring your national park stamp book if you have one to get the stamp!

This was amazing! The fort is so cool and preserved very nicely. The park rangers were happy to answer questions and sharing interesting tid bits. We have a park pass so we got in for free but I still think it would have been worth the price.Lighting was withing the 5 miles or whatever it is when we got in so we couldn't go to the top for a bit. We took our time on the ground level and read all the signs and explored the top as soon as it opened. I wish we could have gone on a night when they shoot the canons off. That would be such an amazing thing to see!I highly recommend going, you won't regret it.

This was quite an interesting place to visit. So much history here. We have a 4th grader so we we’re able to get in for free. You can get into any national park for free as part of a program for 4th graders nationwide. The displays were all very informative and the staff here was super friendly. There is a scavenger hunt game that is great for the kids. The views of the harbor and the Bridge of Lions were incredible. Parking here in the afternoon can get crazy. We had to drive around the parking lot a couple of times to catch someone leaving. You pay per hour to park but we took our time and we’re there just about 2 hours.

As a point of historical significance, the reference and homage pair to this fort by the staff and local community is apparent from the ticket gate. The actors that interact with the public are very impressive with the attention to detail and period knowledge they exhibit and the cannon firing demonstration is a must see.Nearby parking is very limited, but the available public transit and flat walkways make for a quick commute from wherever you can find a spot. The first floor and exterior are accessible to most mobility disabilities; and while a very shallow staircase prevents wheeled access to the ramparts, those with limited mobility in their legs should find a fairly easy climb.

Incredible history and reenactments here. I’ve been coming here for 35 years and there’s always something new and enjoyable every time I get to explore this fort. This time we were able to catch the reenactment on top where they fired off a cannon. It was so cool to imagine what this looked like centuries ago. I will absolutely be coming back again and look forward to it.

What a treasure! The National Park Service has done a fantastic job to maintain and develop this 300+ year old monument to colonization history. Parking on the grounds is really cheap at 2.50 per hour. It took us 3 hours to see and enjoy everything. The admission was 15.00 per person BUT I used my senior pass and got in for free. Well worth the one time charge to visit all 400 national parks. You can get into many restored rooms and listen to the excellent stories from the park rangers.

If you visit just one place in St. Augustine it has to be Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. The history, the architecture, the location. It's spectacular. There is so much to see in every room and a lot of information to read about the history and the lives of the soldiers, prisoners, settlers, etc. The cannons are a work of art. Just to be around something that has been built in 1500-1600's and is still around is incredible. You can easily spend a couple of hours there. There is also a cute gift shop. There are a lot of volunteers that will gladly answer any questions you might have. I wish we had our kids with us, they would have loved to tour it.

This was a very neat place to visit. It’s huge and there’s lots to do and see here. You can’t come to St. Augustine and skip this attraction. Do be prepared for lots of walking, and big crowds to be around. We weren’t there a single day that there wasn’t a massive crowd. I recommend getting there early in the morning to get in line for tickets.

Stopped at this gem on the way back from Orlando. Ended up being my favorite thing on the trip by far.The ambiance of the landmark is spot on. The beautiful, light-blue water coupled with the local Florida wildlife makes for a great sight. In addition to that, the preservation and appreciation for history makes you feel like you’re in the time period. They even fly the Spanish flag - accurate to the period of its founding.The landmark also provides excellent information to truly educate about the fort’s history and founding. You also have quite a bit of freedom to explore; most rooms you can look around and (the best part) you can walk on top of the fortifications.

This place is awesome and great to see where it all started for Central and South America countries and Florida. It is a Federal Monument so Veterans are free along with 4 guests. Parking in Augustine can be a challenge, unless you park in the free public parking garage across the street and it is still within walking distance to everything. It's a tourist area but the shops and restaurants are really good and there are plenty of them. It is a beautiful area!!

A well preserved Spanish fort in St. Augustine, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the US. It's part of the National Park system, and for those with a National Park pass, entry to the inside of the fort is free. Also, access the the area all around the outside of the fort is free to everyone. Scenes of life in the fort is recreated in several areas. Various canons and other equipment/supplies are on display. There is a small gift/souvenir shop (National Parks stamps available) just inside the fort entrance. Great views of the city and waterfront can be seen from all around the upper level of the fort wall. Although there is a paid parking lot on the grounds ($2.50/hour) parking can be a little difficult to find at peak times. This isn't a large fort, so one to two hours is plenty of time to see the whole thing. The spaces are large enough for large camper vans and smaller (class C) RVs. Our 22' van fit within the space markings. There are several small spaces for motorcycles . There are no oversized spaces in this lot, but there is a free parking lot for all sizes of RVs just a few blocks to the west (No overnight camping allowed). Overall, if you are interested in military/colonial historical sites, this fort is definitely a place to visit.

My family had a fun time at Castillo to say it was not a planned trip. It was like getting a fun history lesson of the fort. We spent about 1.5 touring the rooms of the fort (this will vary person to person). I would recommend going on a cool day as we did. In summer I assume it can get hot and the crowds of people.

What an amazing piece of history! It is absolutely worth the visit. I recommend bringing the kids to so they can learn some history but also come alone because you can read all the info posted throughput the fort because you realize all this historic time capsule has been through. I am amazed every time I visit this place that it is open to the public and you can walk through such an incredible time capsule.

This is a piece of history must see!Just go straight to the parking garage.You can get the directions from the Castillo website. The lot is usually full at the Castillo.Historic St. Augustine is beautiful! Lots of good places to eat! There are Art galleries and niche shops to check out. Really good vibes!

This past weekend my boyfriend and I decided to come to st.Augustine for the weekend so I could show him all my favorite places. The Castillo was number one on this list. We both love history, so I knew he’d fall in love with the place as soon as he saw it. I honestly think it exceeded his expectations. He’s already planning for our next trip back! Aside from it being a magnificent pierce of history, it also helped that all of the staff and the rangers at the fort were so kind and helpful, and it really made an impact on him. He was stunned at how informative everyone was and how genuine everyone seemed.. I explained to him that St.Augustine isn’t like all the other “touristy” places. Especially not the Castillo de San Marcos. People here genuinely love this town and it’s structures, and they are excited to show it off to whoever is willing to listen. So thank you so much to everyone at the Castillo for making this trip memorable one for us! We can’t wait to come back!!!

Truly one of a kind. It’s a must-see in St. Augustine! The staff, dedicated volunteers and city have done an excellent job with preserving this jewel and making it fun and educational for all visitors! The view from the top part of the Fort is incredible. This was such an interesting attraction. After leaving this establishment you simply feel closer to history.I’ve visited as a child and now as an adult….and it’s always enjoyable!

I've come here many times since the late 1960's when my father first brought me. I remember having a souvenir Spanish cannon from here as a child and It's always worth the trip. St. Augustine itself is pretty touristy, but it's a pleasant way to spend an afternoon and send yourself back in time to the days of forts, castles, and dangerous adventures. Take your kids so they take away the memory of a lifetime and maybe a Spanish Cannon.

Great historical site that is rather unique. It is $15 for adults while under 16 are free. Military and veterans can get a National Park pass for free with proof; that gets three adult guests in with you also. Nice views of St. Augustine from here. Parking is $2.50 per hour.

Just an absolutely lovely place to visit.The site is steeped in a rich history.The views of the surrounding area and the city of Saint Augustine are beautiful.It’s worth a visit, even if you don’t pay for a tour; you can walk around the property.It’s especially nice at sunset.Grab some ice cream in town and walk the property and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city of Saint Augustine~

An amazing and historical monument in the original and oldest city of Florida. So much depth of history that you need to really take your time enjoying each section. The views are stunning. Park Rangers are very informative. Try visiting on a "cool" day if that's possible! The park also has parking but it's on a first-come first-serve basis. Bring a good pair of walking shoes and water and enjoy!

A truly exceptional monument. The graffiti in the barracks alone are world class social history - Spanish sailors and soldiers, then US, and imprisoned Apaches too! Views are great. Staff are helpful and knowledgeable. The Firearms display is very well done.

Definitely recommend! Learned a lot out the fort and the history. Self guided tour spent about 2 hours here. Money well spent to help preserve such a national monument. We also bought the national park passport too and got our stamps.

Samantha Brown's Places to Love was spot on with this feature attraction. Make sure to add to your list of things to do. Well kept by the National Parks and Recreation. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring water. It's very scenic. Park staff is very friendly. Must see if you're in the area. Active and retired military discount. They will register you in the database for Gold Star and military membership to visit ALL National Parks.

Definitely worth the admission especially if you can time it around the cannons being fired. But, there are plenty of historical markers if you just want to walk around it. Also a beautiful place to sit and watch the sailboats or picnic on the large lawn. There is limited parking, but a large paid garage is across the street. They have nice restrooms and a small museum.

There is a dizzying number of tour options in St. Augustine, and you can quickly part with a ton of $$ because there’s an entry fee for just about everything. The Castillo is one of two historical attractions that I think are a must see** because of its uniqueness and its long history.Built in the 1700s by the Spanish, it is the largest and oldest “concrete” fort in the US, and it is almost entirely intact. It is fascinating to think about the fact that the fort has been utilized by Spanish, British and American military forces over the centuries, reflecting Florida’s unique and varied history.There is a decent self-guided tour inside the fort, and if you’re there at the right time, you can hear “first-hand” accounts from actors dressed as Spanish soldiers. This believe they also fire cannons on Saturdays, but we were there during the week.You can also walk around the outside of the fort and go on top of the fort to see the cannons in place, as well as capture beautiful water views. This is a truly unique glimpse into one facet of history in our country’s oldest (continuously inhabited) city.(**The lighthouse and museum is the other attraction that I would give 5 stars to.)

This is a beautiful national park with lots of history. Park Rangers were very friendly and informative. Kids were having fun doing Jr. Ranger activities. The cannon demonstration in full dress at 3:30 is a must see!

Love visiting here! There is so much history and overall great experience. You can sense what it must have been like to be a soldier serving here, especially when you see the living spaces and tour the top area where the cannons are. Here is a helpful tidbit, if you are a veteran, go to the ticket booth, bring your ID that shows proof and you can have free access for LIFE to the fort and you can bring up to three guests with you and they are free too! It is a national pass you can use here as well as to other national monuments and parks and such! This fort is also located right across the street from the Pirate Museum, local parking garage, and lots of restaurants. It's totally worth the visit coming to this area!

This Castillo de San Marcos National park/Monument can get very crowded. You will want to arrive early. The parking lot is very small. There is plenty of parking further away where there's a tram that goes to the fort.Admission is per person and reasonable. If you are a senior (62+) opt for the lifetime pass. You can then go into any US national park and bring up to 3 guests at no additional cost.The fort itself isn't huge. You can easily see it all in 1 hour. They do fire off the cannons at specified times but it doesn't look like they do that early.The small lot is not free. You pay by plate at a kiosk or by an app.

Nice historical fort. $15 per adult seems a little high compared to other parks. You can easily explore the fort in 45 minutes.The Powder Room is a cool spot but be prepared to squat down to get through the low passage.Parking for 2 hours was $5.00 and expired time was being enforced while we were there.If you found this review helpful, please like and follow for more random travels!

It was amazing. If you love History it is an amazing place. With it being the oldest military fort in the United States. That's in amazing condition. It's a National Park , So I use my senior lifetime pass to get in. So I'm not sure of the cost.

Wonderful place!A beautifully preserved antique, well-kept and authentic. The love and care of the staff is immediately visible.A very informative exhibition, we walked around for two hours, looked around and read the explanations, just wonderful.It’s good that there are many excursions for schoolchildren, children study real history using real buildings and exhibits, and this is wonderful!You are unlikely to see so many ancient cannons in one place anywhere else.A beautiful bay with Parisian trees and fresh sea air complete the picture.Thank you very much!

They were closing up when we got there but it was still pretty cool. It was a lot like Fort Independence in Boston so a lot cooler if you haven’t seen forts before. The grounds were very nice and people seemed to really enjoy the surrounding area as well. You can walk around the outside for free or get tickets and go in.

It is nice to see real castle in St Augustine, Florida. They perform cannon shots to make it real castle in history. Performers have historical Spanish military uniforms. View from castle is awesome. You can walk around the castle. But you need to get ticket to get in the castle. There is a parking place next to it. But it is hard to find spot. You can try St Augustine city parking place close by.

Old fort, cool to see they used all natural resources to build it. Go in and out of rooms with all kinds of facts and things ,take your time and read the signs to understand everything that went on there. Climb steps to the top---no elevator watch little kids there is no handrails and the upper walls are low they have signs posted do not sit on walls but there are benches to sit. Price is $14.95 adults kids are less get a coupon book and museums have great discounts

Amazing!Must see. Well worth the drive.The scenario is Great.Easy accessibility and we'll lit.Parking down the street.Part of historyKid friendlyHighly recommended

Military (active & veterans)is free to tour. We had a blast, loved the view from the top. They do have nice clean bathrooms and a decent gift shop. If you're visiting, put this on your bucket list because it's something you wouldn't want to miss.

Absolutely beautiful. The day we were there it wasnt very busy. The weather was beautiful. Views from the top of the fort were amazing. Lots of panels to read for info if self guiding. Lots of neat things to see. With 3 teens it kept them interested. We love visiting historic landmarks when we can.

Great educational experience although the heat can shorten your visit. The view is beautiful and it's set up to see how it looked when they 1st came here. Cheaper to buy a national family pass if you have multiple kids 16 or older.

St. Augustine is a charming old town with a plethora of culinary delights. The Castillo de San Marcos is an incredible sight to behold, steeped in history and architectural beauty. One tip I highly recommend is to thoroughly research and plan your visits, ensuring the places you want to explore are open. The castle closes after 5 p.m., so it's essential to schedule your visit accordingly.Visiting during the Christmas season adds an extra layer of magic, as the town is adorned with festive decorations, enhancing the overall experience. Exploring the Castillo de San Marcos during this time truly captures the spirit of the holidays and the rich history of the area. Don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in this fascinating destination!

Had family members come to visit us from California, we took them to Saint Augustine—the oldest city of USA. They were so happy to see the fort and to know some history of our country…we got there around 10:00am during the weekday, plenty parking spaces, but saw people were waiting for the spot to park when we got out of the fort, city needs to build more parking spaces. Thanks to the people who manage the monument and keep it nice.

My family loved visiting the fort! The history is great and the exhibits inside are informative. We enjoyed seeing how the soldiers lived (my teenage son especially liked the explanation of the toilet system) 🤣The sights of the water and city from on top the castle walls are neat to see. If you have a chance to hang out, make sure to see the cannon fire demonstration. Parking might be tough if the lot fills up, but it’s not a far walk from the parking garage at the visitor center.

We went to St. Augustine for a day while on vacation. To see a real-life castle in person. It was very affordable for the family, and if you are military, you can get in free. My husband was able to get me, my 17 yr old and 14-year-old with a National Park pass that we just learned about, and my 11 year old was free! It's a pay to stay parking system so you just pay for how long you stay. I think we spent $3.75. You can also use your ticket to come back the next day.

It's a great place to go see while at St. Augustine. There are entry fees, but they are not excessive. It has a souvenir shop and bathrooms, and most of the Fort is open to viewing. You can explore the inside and outside, walk around the moat, go upstairs, and look at the cannons and guard posts. Placards provide historical details and events.

Fascinating history with great displays. Blistering hot day - just like when we visited Fort Ticonderoga in NY a couple of years ago - we seem to pick 'em for those fort tours! Would have been nice to have a guided tour - was tempted to listen in on the guides for the kids' field trip tours.

I loved it. The architecture is beautiful, and as someone coming from Chicago, I’ve never seen this technique before in building with sea shells in the walls. The museum does not take long to be seen but totally worth supporting this location. Staff is very friendly as well.

Me and my family went here it was amazing. this is my second time here. We got to bring my parents this time for Arkansas they came to visit so we took them here to the oldest city in the United States of America to see the most prettiest fort and Georgetown Road. We got to see some amazing stuff and learn amazing history about this fort. We also got to watch them fire the Cannons at the ships which was pretty cool. It's amazing what people went through. This place is a a must see if you love history.

What a wonderful National Treasure! The Castillo de San Marcos stands as a testament to the fortitude of the Spanish soldiers and their families who could have easily given up in this military outpost but stood their ground and spent 23 years building this magnificent fort.The coquina blocks have withstood the test of time and held together well against the sieges by the attacking forces. I first visited this fort when I was 9 years old on a 4th grade field trip and this visit inspired my passion for learning about history. Since then I have enjoyed a 36 year career as a professional tour guide and storyteller educating elementary school students and their families on tours in St. Augustine and around the country.

4.7

(33691)

4.5

(11169)

11 S Castillo Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084, USA

+41 other lists

Lot of shop to visit and enjoy the walking. People are friendly , good places to eat. Will come back soon.

Beautiful place, it's a colonial street, with stores and a lot of people walking and enjoying the view.

Very cool place with tons of shops and places to eat!!!

Amazing street! There are a lot of fun things to do here. We visited some stores and museums, we ate pizza and ice cream.It is a very picturesque street and has some nice spots for pictures. There are public restrooms along the street.They have a great variety of restaurants, but we tried the pizza at Pizza Time. This is a great place to visit.

Great trip with the family. The history is impressive and the shops were fun to browse. Will come back.

Great place to shop and Walk around

Multiple homeless and souvenir shops. We walked down to see what it was about. Saw the oldest schoolhouse. Many restaurants but very expensive. Don't plan to spend too much time. Parking is available at the visitor center for a flat fee. There are parking lots closer but more money.

First time! So many fun shops, restaurants and entertainment!

Food, shopping, churches, cathedrals, courtyards, and squares. There's something for everyone here in this fascinating and historical street.

Wow!! Truly felt like you were stepping back in time. So many great restaurants and shops in an incredibly historic area!!

Nice place for shops, bars & music. One of must visit places.

One of the most famous streets, it is a lively street full of tourists, and it has many restaurants, coffee, sweets, ice cream, and gifts.

This place was super cool and pretty! When I visited St. Augustine I came twice and enjoyed both visits! The street is so cool with lots of shops, restaurants, dessert shops, and historical places. I totally recommend!

St George Street in St Augustin is just awesome. Love walking around and look in the stores .

St. George Street is a gem in town, offering a charming glimpse into antique, olden styles. 🏰The street emanates old European vibes, adorned with numerous shops, creating a beautiful atmosphere. 🛍️Since cars aren't allowed, a stroll is a must, and I guarantee you won't regret immersing yourself in this delightful experience. 👣✨

Beautiful, clean, safe place for families to enjoy! So much history.

A great shopping and people watching pedestrian walkway in the heart of everything.

The landlord of many units on the street cut down every tree on every one of his properties. My particular unit has absolutely no escape from the sun, or no shade around whatsoever.

Great historical street with gift shops and different eateries.

Nice place to go for a walk. Mostly a tourist trap with expensive stores.

Exciting place abuzz with tourists, good food and tons of shopping.

Feels like taking a charming journey back in time. The historic buildings and vibrant shops create a delightful atmosphere that captures the essence of the city's history and culture!

There are many shops to walk through. So many shops have jewelry, souvenirs, candy and sweets. There are several places to eat too.This is near the old gate to the city. The pirate museum is nearby, and across the street is Castillo de San Marcos fort. Also, Bridge of Lions is nearby and will take you over to Anastasia Island, where you can visit the lighthouse and the Alligator Farm.

4.7

(205)

4.5

(5782)

St. Augustine, FL 32084, USA

+56 other lists

Neat place with lots of interesting historical displays and information about their distilling processes with plaques, pictures, and displays. We did a self-guided tour through the distillery which was quite adequate for our time frame and very informative. If we'd had more time we would have called ahead to arrange for an in-person guided tour, which I'm sure would have been excellent. Staff is friendly and very approachable if you have questions; they clearly take pride in their place of work.The various tasting stations are a nice touch and certainly add to the experience. The varieties of bourbon, gin, and rum, as well as the ready-made mixers are delicious. (Suggestion: Eat something beforehand. The samples aren't huge, but they are fairly potent on an empty stomach! 😉)There is also a store which offers for purchase all the various products from the distillery, with a tasting station so you can sample what you're thinking of buying. All very low-key, there is no pushiness to get you to buy anything, they obviously know just how excellent their products are!The restrooms are very clean and roomy and ever so quaint - worth a visit, too!Accessibility is good and there is ample parking around the building.

This was one of our stops on trolley ride. We opted to pick up the next day and not having to walk around with our purchase.Free samples were definitely a treat. No pressure, just sample, and you can come back the next day. ID is required.

One of the top distilleries that I have visited in the US so far. You begin the tour with signing into an iPad, then you start with your tastings of vodkas, gins and bourbons. Upstairs the bartender Nick was very knowledgeable on all of their products and made great suggestions on what to buy based on my likes.

I recently visited Saint Augustine Distillery and had an amazing time. The highlight of my visit was the free whiskey tasting, which allowed me to sample some of their fantastic products. The employees were extremely knowledgeable and friendly, making the experience even more enjoyable.The staff members at the distillery were not only passionate about their craft but were also well-informed about the various whiskey options available. They were more than happy to answer all my questions, providing me with in-depth information about the production process and the unique characteristics of their spirits.Moreover, the welcoming and friendly atmosphere in the distillery made me feel at ease throughout my visit. The employees created a warm and inviting environment, which added to the overall enjoyment of the tasting experience.I highly recommend visiting Saint Augustine Distillery for any whiskey enthusiast or anyone looking to learn more about the art of distilling. The combination of a free tasting and the expertise of the staff made for an unforgettable visit. I will definitely be returning to explore more of their offerings in the future.

The staff was so welcoming to my husband and I. We only wanted to taste the bourbon honey and syrup, since we don’t drink alcohol. They allowed us to do the tour at no cost which was pretty cool on their end. Even though my husband and I don’t drink, learning about how the bourbon is created was pretty interesting. The lady at the counter allowed us to taste the honey and syrup. Woohoo, that was the best honey and syrup I ever tasted. We purchased the syrup and will buy more online if they have it available.

What a great experience this was! The tour is free and self guided so take as long as you'd like. Each area has a tasting station which have samples that they're promoting. All of the samples were great. Even better is that at the end they let you try whatever you'd like that they sell. All of the staff were very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about their company. A must visit when going to St. Augustine.

I highly recommend the paid tour, it's only 35 dollars. Patrick(?) was our bourbon educator and man did he deliver some incredible information to us. It was a one hour class on information that we should be aware of when it comes down to picking, tasting, and understanding the complexities of what makes up a bourbon. Great job! The class was not rushed and very well paced. We were celebrating my mother's 70th birthday and the team even signed a card for her. Everyone received a glencairn and was thoroughly educated on how to drink from it. In all, a great day to drink bourbon and thanks for making Mom's birthday a whole lot more fun (she was a huge fan of the port finished bourbon).

The St. Augustine Distillery Spirit of Florida Bourbon Experience was Excellent! We went on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail last year and saw some great distilleries but having this quaint and beautiful distillery in our own state of Florida is fantastic. Melody was our host and tour guide and was very knowledgeable about everything Bourbon related especially when it came to the distilling process. We tasted 4 of their different bourbons and enjoyed each one. The "Saint" was our personal favorite because we love old fashioneds so much. Finishing off this bourbon in a barrel of their own old fashioned mix was truly an amazing idea! We bought 2 bottles of Saint, but know that this was not an inexpensive bottle at $200. (we did get a $35 off coupon for the tasting tour). The tour of this small distillery was informative and fun with Melody showing us the complete process. Of course the gift shop was the last stop and we took advantage of more Bourbon tasting with their version of an old fashioned. We had not been to this distillery since they added bourbons and only knew them from their vodka, rum and gin but were VERY pleased they have added these delicious bourbons to their line of spirits. A Wonderful Experience and Must See if you are here in St. Augustine!

Florida Man Approved! Usually I wait until the end, but this local distillery needs no hype. Great tour and gift shop with everything you would never need to drink, wear, make drinks, cups, trinkets and so much more! Been a loyal customer since day one! I have every bottle of the port distilled discovery series rum 1-4! It’s the focal point of my liquor cabinet! You can sample almost anything they carry at the in store tasting stations! Today Danny Rodrigues was there signing his first day of issue series 4 over proof rum! Great guy and a tasty rum! They host many first day of release events with the distiller. I have a nice collection of signed bottles! Definitely a must see if you are a tourist in town or a local like myself. Bring a little bottle of Saint Augustine home with you! Double Florida Man Approved!!

Fun place to visit. Great history and very knowledgeable staff. Great setup and tour. Good drinks at each stop and we had a lot of fun as a small group! Definitely recommend stopping by this distillery! Even if you only drink one type of spirit, try them all, it might surprise you!

My girlfriend is a bourbon drinker and booked this tour on our visit to Saint Augustine. We were immediately met by Clark and once in the private room, he proceeded to provide the experience. He did so with a passion and fervor that I haven't seen in a very long time. He spoke intelligently, factually, answered all the questions perfectly. His knowledge and understanding of the process and his use of facts was super impressive. He made this tour very special, welcoming and kept us interested and engaged the entire time. What an amazing experience and I hope anyone that has a chance to visit gets Clark as the experience guide (as he explained it was a combination of tour, history, and facts - an experience). The gift shop patrons were also very welcoming and friendly. What an amazing experience and Clark, thank you for making this one of the great highlights of our trip.

Nice short tour through the Distillery with tastings. If your over 21 make sure you have your ID with you. Nice rustic building to go through. If I were to go again I would make time to stop at the restaurant to try food and more drinks.

Excellent distillery and a very unique way to conduct a tour. The tasting stations with cocktails makes it a useful tasting and showcases the products. The gift shop is amazing and the staff were all very friendly and helpful. Loved this experience and I’ve toured about 50 distilleries, including most on the famous bourbon trail. Top notch!

Yesterday was my sons 32nd birthday so we made a family trip to the St Augustine Distillery for a Bourbon class and it was amazing. I highly recommend it. So much fun as a family. Clark was so knowledgeable on Bourbon and he was funny as well. We also made our own bottle of Bourbon when the class was over and that was an amazing experience as well. You bottle the bourbon, cork it and label it with your signature and shrink wrap the top. I recommend this experience as a gift or fun family weekend trip.

My husband and I went on a day trip to St. Augustine and visited the distillery for the self guided tour. It was a great experience from start to finish! We enjoyed learning the history of the building and distillery plus ALL the staff was absolutely amazing....very welcoming and knowledgeable. The cocktail samples were a tasty treat with the mule and old fashion above expectations. We were pleasantly surprised when we were able to partake in an experience guided by Clark with The Saint Bourbon and food pairings. Clark did a great job making the experience entertaining and educational. After the tour and experience, we visited the gift shop and indulged in our favorite cocktails supplies to enjoy at home!

The coolest tasting and educational experience ever! This was my first introduction to bourbon and woooooweeeee I sure felt it! Sarah was a wonderful educator and very informative about the history and process of distillation. The gift shop at the end of our tour had many great items to purchase! Since our arrival for the tour was early, we decided to have a glass from their bar upstairs. Another cool place in the establishment!

We have gone to this distillery several times and love visiting here. When you do the tour, they give the under age ones a delightful grape juice. They have a great rooftop top bar that's very romantic for a date.

Had a great time at our guided tour yesterday. Clark was one of the best tour guides I’ve ever had, not just for a distillery but of any excursion or activity I’ve done. He is extremely knowledgeable and passionate which made the tour just that much better. Highly recommend the paid tour for everyone. Highlight of our trip to St. Augustine and my wife and I come here once per year for a weekend for the past 5 years. Oh and all the bourbon we tasted were absolutely amazing. Thanks for the great experience

Did the pairing tour with friends and had a tremendous time! 👍 Our bourbon ambassador taught us the "ABC's" of bourbon and we experienced some excellent chocolate 🍫 truffles to pair. Enjoyed apps and drinks at the Ice Plant thereafter and it was all fantastic 👌 Highly recommend both the distillery tour and the restaurant/bar thereafter!

We love to take visitors to the distillery. We brought our guests to the perfect pair tasting experience and had a great experience. Clark, our guide, was extremely knowledgeable and very personable. Everyone had a great time. We proceeded to the gift shop for additional tastings and souvenirs, every employee we came in contact with was very knowledgeable and you could tell that they loved their jobs. We really enjoy taking guests here. See you soon!

A decent distillery in St Augustine.We came to check them out and were really excited to do a tasting and check out their stuff. Someone in our group did the tour years ago and said it was great.This time there was no tour and the tasting was lame. As someone in our group said to the person who said it used to be great "glad I didn't have to pay for it or I'd want my money back"There were a few mixers to try and you could look at their room where they explain how it's made. You don't actually get to taste their stuff and get information about anything worthwhile.If you have little to no experience or expectations for how it's made you might enjoy it, but as we have been to distilleries all over the world there wasn't enough going on to be worth the trip.The staff were super friendly and they have a nice bar upstairs, but you can drink elsewhere for cheaper with a better variety.Still, a decent place.

Such a great experience couldn’t believe it was free! You learn so much about the history and the process of a different alcohols! Everyone was very friendly the free samples you got were tasty even their merchandise shop at the end was great. They had plenty of variety to choose from if you wanted to bring home something for yourself too or as a gift, will definitely be back on my next visit to Saint Augustine.

St. Augustine Distillery will NOT disappoint and have a memory to last a lifetime. Larry was fantastic for the tour and tasting and KNOWS his bourbon. Nicholas made my one of a kind single barrel bottle pour SO special and was such a blessing to meet him. He went above and beyond to share his passion for what he does, what goes into making bourbon and both men were fantastic!!!A hidden suggestion: Go to the 4pm booking cause it's the last one of the day and they can spend more time showing you stuff, behind the scenes and won't feel rushed.* My suggestion if you can do it 👍🏼😊Thank you and made a 50th Birthday, bourbon 🥃 lovers day a VERY special one ❤️🙌🏼

Wonderful day in St. Augustine with a stop at the distillery! Loved seeing how the alcohol is made and doing the tasting. While the tour was self guided and the tastes were small, it was all about the experience! Each stop had a small amount of alcohol combined with one of their cane sugar based mixers. All unique flavors and wonderful new tastes. The tour wrapped up in the store and Emily was a great server with a wonderful personality at the last stop! Give her kudos for a great time and a lot of knowledge!

Great tour and tasting experience albeit short. But the tastings are the best part and I guarantee you’ll want to go home with something!

Had an incredible time learning more about the history of bourbon and the process of making it. I love that st augustine distillery gets so much of its product from local farms and is community centered, truly a model for businesses everywhere in this wonderful city. I highly recommend The Saint bourbon, it has such an interesting story and an incredible flavor profile

Even though the distillery is small the tour and tasting were one of the best we have been to. My daughter and I have done the entire Bourban trail tour in Kentucky and just about completed the craft tour in Kentucky. Also have ties to Bourbon industry in Kentucky. Anyway our guide definitely showed he is a Bourbon Steward also in giving the history of Bourbon and the standards as well as the brief history of distilling in the State of Florida. I will admit they have a good bourbon product as well as a vodka and rum, my daughter and brother liked their gin, gin is not for me. Everyone we met was more than gracious as hosts. When you are in the area highly recommend you take this tour as well as visit the attached restaurant.

One of my all time favorite places! You can’t beat the experience. These are very nice, award winning, high quality spirits. The staff is very welcoming and knowledgeable. I recommend doing the tasting tour. It’s free and takes 10-minutes tops, but it’s a great way to sample the spirits before committing to a bottle. The Saint is our favorite bourbon and the gin is a close second. Their mixers are absolutely delightful - fresh tasting, low sugar, and wildly versatile - we love the hibiscus and old fashioned. I honestly can’t say enough nice things. Run don’t walk to the best distillery in Florida!

This is a small craft distillery that has only been in operation since 2014. You can do a self guided tour that is free and includes 4 tastings of mixed drinks like a mule. They also offer guided tours for a fee. The advantage of the guided tour is its bourbon forward, you hear the history of the building and the business, and you get to try a pour of two expensive bottles. We have been to 12 other distillery tours and I still learned a few new things. Larry was a fantastic host! We got to sample their flagship bourbon, one finished in a wine barrel, an aged blend, and a single barrel. We also got the keep the glasses! I believe a person in a wheelchair could do this tour because you only move from the tasting room to the adjacent room. We enjoyed our experience!

🍷 If you're within a few hours' drive of St. Augustine and on the hunt for exceptional local crafted , look no further than the St. Augustine Distillery. This hidden gem isn't just about spirits; it's a haven for wine enthusiasts like me who appreciate quality and variety. With each visit, I'm greeted by a warm atmosphere and knowledgeable staff who guide me through their impressive selection of wines. Whether I'm seeking a bold red to pair with a hearty meal or a crisp white for a sunny afternoon, the St. Augustine Distillery delivers every time. And when it comes to purchasing in bulk for our gatherings, they make it effortless, offering cases of wine with a range of options to suit every palate. It's not just about the spirits they craft,it's about the experience, and the team at the St. Augustine Distillery consistently exceeds my expectations. From the harvest to the bottle, their passion shines through, making each sip a true pleasure. If you haven't experienced their selection yet, it's time to raise a glass and toast to the exceptional flavors waiting to be discovered. Cheers! 🥂

Self-tour. Enjoyed some mixed drink tastings. Great tasting room atmosphere. Old Ice Plant with historical architecture added to vibe. Enjoyed their bourbon and rum. They also make a good gin.

4.8

(2650)

5.0

(8301)

112 Riberia St, St. Augustine, FL 32084, USA

1 list

The actual Fort is accessible only via the Ft. Matanzas Ferry, and under guidance of a park ranger. It is off limits to kayaker and others who happen to be out and enjoying the area.There is no entrance fee, however, and the ferry ride is free. Best to arrive early, as ferry tickets go fast. Under the current pandemic guidelines, ferry capacity is reduced.I think everyone would enjoy a visit here. Tip: watch for sea turtles and other aquatic life while you're out there.

Great piece of history and a hidden gem. Entrance is free but you need to arrive before 11am or there won't be any tickets available for the ferry ride to get to the fort. Parking is also limited so you will more than likely ride around waiting for a spot or park down A1A and walk to the park. Definitely worth the wait and walk, was a great experience for the kids.

A nice little slice of history. It's not really a fort but a watchtower, that is only accessible by the ferry. (Free, but must get a ticket from the welcome center) There is a boardwalk loop nature trail. (15-20min)

I had an exceptional visit to Fort Matanzas National Monument! The fort itself is a fascinating glimpse into America's past, and the live history presentations truly bring the era to life. Ranger Steve, in particular, gave an outstanding presentation, delivering detailed insights with enthusiasm and clarity. The ranger's knowledge and passion for the subject were evident and made the experience even more engaging. If you're interested in history and enjoy well-crafted educational experiences, this monument is a must-visit. Highly recommended!

The grounds at this park were nice. It is a well maintained facility with clean bathrooms. I only gave it three stars because I missed the main attraction of this park....the fort. If I ever get back here I will update my review. They have six ferries that leave out every hour beginning at 9:30 and I think they may fill up fast. We got there at 3:20 on Saturday afternoon and the last boat was full...bummer. But there is a a nice little hiking trail. Oh, and they have vending machines. If your in the area and can get to the fort it's probably worth a visit.

Very friendly staff, knowledgeable, and willing to help you , find your way. Show up early to get tickets for the boat ride across. This will ensure that you could go at the time you want. This boat ride is free. The whole park is free. And the tour is free. How amazing is that in today's time. Take your time to have a nice walking trail.

Last ferry leaves out at 3:30, I'd suggest getting there early to get free passes bc they run out quickly and space is limited. There's a nice nature trail that will take about 30-45 minutes to walk before or after your tour. And btw, no pets are allowed on the tour/ferry.

What a great stop. Age 15 and under are free. $14.95 for those 16+. Lots to do to spend an afternoon walking around. Cannot imagine having to man this fort in August back in the days of use. It was an amazing site to see.

Tour was cut a little short due to rain, however my sons and I had a blast. Great tour guides, nice ferry ride (free), really cool spot. Hearing the history of the fort and how it relates to Fort Castilla. Highly recommend the trip. Then walk out to the sand bar by the bridge when your done to cool down!

This is my third time visiting. I brought my daughters and in-laws for a fun family outing. We saw all kinds of wildlife. People often do not realize that you can go down to the water where the boat docks while you wait. Fun, free, and educational. And afterwards you can drive across the street and check out the beautiful beach.

The grounds are nice, but I made a HUGE mistake. I didn't realize that I should get ferry tickets in advance, or at least be there early enough to get a (free) ferry ticket. When I got there the all ferry rides were full.I did mark this as five stars and DO plan to return with advance tickets in hand, because the park I was able to see was very welcoming and the Ranger was helpful and did not make fun of my faux pas!

My favorite beach! Fishing is fantastic here. Caught a huge red in October and March. Good place to go to see the sunset!

Short quick tour. Boat ride across the river to see and learn about the fort and get some cool pictures. First tour leaves at 9:30am. Fun for something quick to do if your staying near by.

This is a great fun little side trip if you’re spending the day in the area, even little kids will find some interesting things to see and do. The fort itself is small and they give you about a half an hour or so to check it out, lots of authentic gear there as well. The ferry you have to book in advance, it can fill up quick on the weekends and holidays. It’s a short, maybe five minute ride across the river to the fort. The rangers are enthusiastic, friendly, and filled with knowledge per usual, all in all it was a great way to kill an hour or two. There is a small winding shady walking trail next to the parking lot, which leads out to A1AA1A, where you can cross over to the beach.

The Fort is free and is reached by an equally free ferry provided by park rangers. The whole thing is just over an hour, but a great use if that time. The 500 yard crossing is very attractive and can have a wealth of bird life on view, including ospreys. I loved the atmosphere of the little Fort. Note that it is first come first served. Ferries go on the half hour and if you are not ticketed by 20 past, expect it to be full. There is nothing to do for the hour if you miss the ferry except go to the nearby very exposed beach. There are a visitor centre (more a little bookshop really)and rest rooms though.

This free tour was so informative and so much fun. We arrived at 10:10 and got tickets for the 10:30 tour. You are able to talk down to the water while you wait on the boat. Our national park guides were so lovely. The fort is beautiful and the boat ride to and from were good.

Awesome little piece of history in St. Augustin. My family and I take the boat to Fort Matanzas everything we visit and enjoy taking photos, learning, the history, and climbing to the roof on the little ladder. Also it's totally free! The staff was friendly and helpful.

Loved it! We didn't realize the ferry goes only once per hour on the :30, so we showed up 5 mins before. We went to the office and they only had 1 ticket left. So, we were bunmed and walked toward the water, and the ranger there asked his buddy in the boat if there was room for 2 more. He said yes!!! Thanks, Rangers!Ferry ride was 5 mins, and the fort, though small, was really cool! If you're physically able, I'd suggest climbing up the ladder and going on the top of the fort. Nice views and fun! It's a 45-min round trip excursion and I thought it was great!

Interesting place to visit and get a stamp for the National Park passport. I forgot the captain's name but him and Morgan was wonderful! They allowed me to board an hour early since I was visiting alone. The fort is full of history and made you think about what it was like 100 years ago when it was created and while it was being used.

Pros:*Free entrance*Kid-friendly*Free ferry ride to the watchtower*Excellent, free guided tour(great humor and really helped us to immerse ourselves in the time period)*Not too long! The ferry ride is about 5 minutes. The tour of the watchtower was about 45 min.*Excellent photo ops with cannons*A dolphin was spotted!*Several birds were pointed out(blue hering, osprey, pelican)*Jellyfish were spotted during the ferry ride.*Junior Ranger program earned my kids a fun badge with the fort's name on it. Just ask, and they will provide your kids with a free book/pencil to complete the assignment to earn the badge. It was a fun activity for them to complete on the ferry ride there and back.Cons: Ferry tickets are free, but they are first come, first serve and only available in person(not available online or over the phone). We came yesterday, but all of the times were full. So we came first thing this morning and had our pick. If you come from out of state to see this, make sure you arrive when they open to secure a ticket.You can bring an umbrella if it rains.Thank you to all who provided a wonderful experience for our family!

The fort was interesting. The only way to get there is by ferry. I was a little disappointed in that there are no trails on Rattlesnake Island (where the fort is). There is a trail on the visitor center side of the Matanzas River but it’s pretty short and not a whole lot to look at. The rangers were really nice and provided a lot of information.

I've always loved coming here. One of my favorite places in St. Augustine and a good little hidden gem. Tickets are free and include a beautiful ferry ride to the island. The fort is smaller than Castillo de San Marcos but somehow feels like it has more charm. There is a trail you can walk after. Remember to wear sunscreen and pack a water bottle!

The weather was perfect the day we went. There is a free boat ride to the monument. My kids enjoyed the boat ride & climbing all over the little fortress.

Cute but short stop for a fort. Fort is accessed by a ferry which is free and ran by the National Parks. It was running every 30 minutes when we visited in Oct. We did not go out to the fort due to time constraints but I'm happy we stopped. Small gift shop on site and restrooms are near the parking lot. Lots of outdoor space including picnic tables and some trails to explore, one trail was closed during our visit due to construction. Birds were around and even saw a turtle. Mosquitos are everywhere too, bring bug spray.

Our little guy loved the splash pad! We went on a weekday so it was not super busy, but I imagine this place does get a lot of foot traffic. The beach access is convenient, they have family restrooms, outdoor showers and free parking.

About 13 miles south of St Augustine sits this little national monument that is really just as interesting as Castillo de San Marcos.Fort Matanzas is very small, but the experience lies in the journey. From when the boat leaves to when it gets back takes about an hour. Boats leave every hour on the half hour.I would suggest getting there earlier in the day so you can get the tickets for your desired time slot.The fort itself is a 2-3 story building with two rooms and a gun deck. You can also climb a ladder through a narrow hole in the ceiling to get a view from the top.And the best part? It's all free!

Beautiful and historic free park - really friendly, helpful staff and knowledgeable rangers!The short boat ride and tour of the fort are quick, so don’t worry if you don’t have a whole day to spend here - you could do it all in under 2 hours. There’s also a short nature trail to Matanzas Inlet - another free, cool spot nearby.We also saw some dolphins and typical cool Florida birds. Oh, and a lot of jellyfish actually.Tip: get your tickets early even if you want to do to the tour later - it’s not uncommon for all tickets to be given out by the middle of the day.Great time - we’ll be back.

We had a wonderful visit to Fort Matanzas! We arrived around 12 on a Thursday and were able to get tickets for the 12:30 boat ride over to the fort (tickets are free for the boat and there’s no entrance fee to the park!). Our 4 kids were able to do activities in an activity book they gave us and earn badges. The rangers were very informative; Ranger Steve is an absolute gem! We saw dolphins and sea turtles from the fort and boat. We were so glad we made this stop!

The fort is very small and the ferry ride is very short over to the fort. The visitor center is also very small. They have nice restrooms near the parking lot and huge beautiful old oak trees and a picnic area. There is no grounds to explore around the fort. You have about 45 minutes to see the fort and can take the ladder to the top to see the roof but it’s a very narrow opening at the top of the later. Must be able to navigate the tight opening. We had a 5’10” ish 190lb 65 year old grandpa with us and he was barely able to get down the ladder. The rest of the fort is accessible to everyone by stairs. There is a small beach area you can explore but full of oyster beds so are only able to explore the shoreline.

It is free and pretty nice. A short safety before gettong on the boat is given. Then off you go. The 5 minutes ride is smooth and when I went it was a beautiful day. There were dolphibs but I didnt get to see them. The fort is small and when we got there a short history talk was given. We had abput 10-15 mins to explore and gwt up to the watchtower. It was a extremely short time and felt rushed but that may be because they are trying to preserve the structure.

I can’t say enough about this park, fort and experience, although selfishly I kind of would like to keep it a little secret so that it stays with its charm. I found this place through a video on Tik Tok of things to do in St.Augustine. Most of the locals and people who visit there often had no idea about this place. I had little information on the ferry hours but we drove there hoping they were still running and thankfully we got the last ferry heading out. We got there about 30 mins before the tour started and hung out with the gopher tortoise to pass some time. All of the park staff was super friendly and knowledgeable. Our tour guide was the best!

An amazing piece of American (and European) history that few today seem to know about.The fort itself may be small, but the story behind its name, the area where it sits, and what it did looms large.Also enjoy the large amount of wildlife that is easily seen around it while visiting. Take one of the free volunteer guided nature walks to hear more about all the fascinating plant and wildlife nearby.

FREE ENTRY.FREE FERRY RIDE.This monument is very cool. You get to go on a ferry ride across the way to the monument. Our guide, Caroline, did an amazing job explaining the history and relevance.We saw dolphins and other wildlife on our way over. Definitely kid friendly. Not wheel chair friendly. Steep stairs and ladders.Definitely climb to the top, up the ladder, and look out. It’s amazing something built in the 1700s is still standing today.

2024-03-23: Fort Matanzas National Monument is a well-kept piece of history. The fort was built in 1742 by the Spanish to protect against enemies from using Matanzas River to enter St. Augustine. The fort contains relics, cannons, and the Spanish flag is flown. The National Park Service ferries people via pontoon boat to the fort for a guided tour. Be sure to get tickets early due to limited capacity. Trips are hourly from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., weather-permitting.

What a great adventure. Everything was great. From the boat ride to the fort itself, it was so nice and well maintained. And to top it off, Ranger Caroline was just superb. She gave a great presentation with lots of facts and knowledge and did so in an exemplary storytelling fashion. Very entertaining and informative.

It takes about an hour from start to finish. You start off with a pontoon boat ride over the inlet and have about 45 minutes to check everything out. The first 15 min is historical info about the Fort and our Park Ranger was very informative and very friendly. The tour was free even so you had to get tickets. This is only they have an idea how many people came through.

4.7

(4027)

4.5

(2176)

8635 A1A S, St. Augustine, FL 32080, USA

25 lists

This place is awesome! The butterfly garden is the best part. They have a discovery room for young children as well that has all sorts of neat things. The best part is the main museum is free. If you want to see the butterfly garden or the current extra exhibit there is a charge but it's totally worth it. 😀 Check their website, they have discounts on tickets for certain things.

100% worth the drive and the admission. Great for recharging and relaxation. Between the sounds of the waterfalls and the birds and the multitudes of butterfly species it was a sensory overload. Combine this attraction with the natural history museum and the art museum next door (both free admission) and you've got your morning or afternoon fully covered.

The environment was clean and well cared for with a great variety of plants and butterflies! Visitors are not allowed to touch or feed the little birds and butterflies that roam the environment. Photographs are welcome as well as sitting on the benches throughout to enjoy your day.

Amazing place! We took my 14 month old there and he loved it! It’s very children friendly; there’s a discovery area where you can sit and watch your children play and explore around, plus breastfeeding room and family restroom.The butterfly rainforest was amazing! You can see the butterflies up close. It was beautiful and relaxing. Definitely recommend for a family trip.We paid $22 for 2 adults.Parking was $4

If heaven was a place, this would be it. They have an incredible variety of butterfly species in here. It's absolutely fantastic to be able to see them all fluttering around. They provide them a large variety of pollinator plants so no matter the species, they are happy. They clearly care about the health and safety of all their butterflies and it's just magical to be able to witness it. I had to walk through twice just to be able to experience it again. 10/10 would recommend 💛

Beautiful butterflies, birds, and flora. They were not difficult to see, as they were very numerous, fluttering everywhere and not shy at all. We even watched a couple emerging from their cocoons. It was well worth the visit. It was a bit hot the day we went, but it's just that time of year.

Amazing exhibit! I could have stayed there all day. You go at your own pace along a path and you're surrounded by beautiful butterflies, flowers, and plants. There's even a small waterfall and a bench to rest or take photos. The butterflies sometimes land on you (one landed on my kid's face!). And when we went, there were also a few birds. The place is one big photo op for some awesome and memorable photos. A++

I took my wife here and it was awesome. There are so many different types of butterflies and finches as well. If you're a person that likes butterflies here's the place to go. They would land on you and fly all around you. Plus Free parking on the weekends.

This is probably my FAVORITE place in all of Gainesville. The Butterfly Rainforest does not disappoint. They are so active and you get to sometimes see them follow you through the garden. Love the flowers throughout the paths. Lots of parking available on campus.

Do not miss the butterfly garden if you are in Gainesville! It is inside the Florida natural history museum and is beautifully maintained by the staff. The garden is an enclosed space with hundreds of different butterfly species and is hardly a 5minutes walk inside. But you will surely take your time to observe these butterflies with their beautiful patterns and texture!

First time for me. It was very hot 🔥. Approx. 100 heat index. It was absolutely beautiful. Full of information. Did I say beautiful 😍. All the plants and butterflies. The girls had a good time. The blue ones are huge. There is a po d with fish and a turtle. We saw quail skittering under the bush. We went on a Saturday. Lots and lots of people. The Spider exhibit can be purchased in combo. We just did butterflies. Then after you can tour the free exhibits. There is a children's area with lots of seating for us older kids. 😀 worth every cent.

Butterfly Rainforest is like stepping into a page of a fairy tale book. Though compact in size, it bursts at the seams with vibrant life and natural beauty. A favorite among children, the venue is a testament to the idea that sometimes the most magical places come in small packages.From the moment you enter, you're greeted by a myriad of fluttering wings, as countless butterflies dance around, making it a delightful spectacle. The vivid hues of these delicate creatures contrasted against the backdrop of lush greenery and radiant flowers is genuinely a sight to behold.Speaking of flowers, the Rainforest is a paradise for botany enthusiasts. The curated collection of flora not only serves as nourishment for the butterflies but also provides visitors with a sensory treat of colors and scents. Each petal and leaf has been meticulously cared for, showcasing the delicate balance and harmony within this micro-ecosystem.The addition of the serene water body dotted with colorful koi fish adds another layer of charm to the place. Watching these graceful fish move through the water, almost in a rhythmic dance, is both calming and captivating.Though it might not take a whole day to explore, the Butterfly Rainforest leaves a lasting impression. It's a testament to nature's beauty and a gentle reminder that sometimes, the most beautiful things are found in the smallest of spaces.In conclusion, if you're looking for a quick escape into a world of vibrant colors, mesmerizing creatures, and tranquility, the Butterfly Rainforest should be on your radar. It's not just an attraction; it's an experience - one that both kids and adults will cherish.

Very enjoyable, a helpful, friendly staff, and wow the butterflies!! I visit each year, and the display changes each time, and many species are always present, and each time I visit there are new ones to see for the first time. I recommend going on weekdays when plentiful parking is available, and the crowds are less likely, and pick a sunny day when the butterflies are active for the best display :-)

We had a great time exploring the museum and the butterfly gardens. I did think the price was a little high for what was offered, but hey, the museum is free. The quil that run around are super cute!

Had a wonderful experience today at the Butterfly exhibit. So many colors, sizes and shapes. Love the birds in the exhibit as well. Price was very reasonable. Could have spent 2 more hours there, we loved it so much.

Absolutely wonderful place to visit! The garden with the butterflies also has turtles, fish, and several birds. The facility is clean and well-maintained. There were students from the university throughout the museum speaking with guests, which was a nice touch.

We had an amazing experience here at the butterfly garden! Seriously can't say enough good. We got a couple dollar discount on admission because of being FL residents.The indoor portion was very informative and educational. Also very well laid out and organized.The outdoor area, actual rainforest garden, was beautiful! Water fountains, birds, butterflies and beautiful plants. We enjoyed walking and taking it all in. Can easily spend a couple hours here. We enjoyed being able to observe all the nature up close in a safe weather proof environment.The Florida museum is right next door. We did not visit that today, but it was quite large and looked to be a full day.Parking was $4 and in a lot right next to museum. Restrooms available and a nice fair prices gift shop and penny machine at entrance.

Definitely worth the experience. It's humid and gives the essence of a real rain forest, or a muggy day here in the Florida swamps. Numerous butterflies and lots to learn. There's an insect exhibit to check out along with lots of Florida history, including early Indian tribes.

It’s part of the history museum and has tons of butterflies. You can add to the regular admission ticket. You can learn about all the various species. Some may even land on you. There are also some small birds.

Butterfly Rainforest had a nice large enclosed patio area full of beautiful butterflies and Luscious Landscaping. It was also a little bigger then I thought it would be. I didn't realize it had a full Museum inside until we arrived and I saw the sign for the museum. The museum was great it had a lot of different displays and was very informative. This is a great place for young & older children alike. Heck, I'm middle-aged and love it!!..

The Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum is remarkable. They have an unbelievable collection of butterflies and small birds in a beautiful ecosystem. It’s possible to get within inches of these guys for photos. The environment is also lovely, so peaceful that we could spend hours.

Very neat experience the butterflies, quail and finches were all very fun to see. Large showing Koi in the creek and beautiful fauna! The museum was equally impressive!

Beautiful! There's so much to look at here! Butterflies, birds, plants, flowers...🌷 This is a great way to 'be in nature' and still beat the heat 💪 Free parking on the weekends too.

Lovely educational experience with kind staff. What a dream. We liked going to callaway gardens in South Georgia for their butterfly experience, this is awesome as well! Quail, koi & finches roamed & butterflies 🦋 soared & perched to rest. Waterfall & a hatchery. Neat museum and great visit and affordable

Lots of butterflies! It was a bit crowded, but still manageable to get around inside with others. There are many different types of pretty butterflies and little birds that roam free or fly. This was a fun experience and they will land on you if you stand still or wear bright colors.

We stopped for the Florida Museum of Natural History and decided to buy tickets for the Butterfly Rainforest, and we really enjoyed it. It is a must for any butterfly lover. The pictures and videos do not do it justice. There are also a ton of pictures, framed insects, and interactive experiences. We would come back if we happened to be in the area.

Amazing place. I was floored. So many butterflies, about 150 species. The exiting docent was awesome and informative. The ticketing people were cool for advising me of a good time to visit. I bought some fun socks on the way out at the gift shop.

By far the coolest attraction I visited while in Central Florida. So many butterflies, birds and even fish. Helpful and knowledgeable Staff. It was pretty busy but not overcrowded. Really enjoyed our stroll.

Absolutely a wonderful place for someone who loves butterflies. Although it was not a sunny day, we managed to see many beauties.We bought the package that also included the dinosaur museum and it is a wonderful experience.

If you like butterflies, this is the place for you! Such a great variety. Fairly busy for a Monday morning in May, but we were still able to navigate the area easily.

Great place for my little to visit make sure you stay for the daily butterfly release and walk through the other exhibits while you are there. So much fun!Parking is paid separate than admission they only take card for parking.

4.8

(2189)

5.0

(1260)

3215 Hull Rd, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA