Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site offers a unique opportunity to step into South Carolina's colonial past while exploring a diverse natural environment. Located at 1500 Old Towne Rd in Charleston, this historic site is open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, making it a convenient destination for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
One of the highlights of visiting Charles Towne Landing is the Animal Forest, a sanctuary where you can encounter animals native to South Carolina. Families will appreciate this interactive component, as children often enjoy seeing these creatures up close. The park's commitment to animal welfare ensures that each resident receives proper care, and their exhibits provide valuable insights into local wildlife.
Visitors have shared mixed feedback. While some praise the historical context and well-maintained grounds, others express concerns about the zoo's animal enclosures. Regardless, the park offers a rich cultural experience with opportunities to connect with history and nature.
Onsite services
Picnics
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Hiking
Picnic tables
Public restroom
Credit cards
Good for kids
Kid-friendly hikes
Free parking lot
Dogs allowed
Our toddler loves the animal forest! The animal forest is a great bonus for visiting this historical gem. All of the animals are native (or at one time were native) to South Carolina. The animals are well cared for and cannot be released into the wild. We are lucky to live so close to this wonderful park. Great for a visit when it’s not too hot. Bring a picnic and your bikes to get the full experience!
The zoo is awful (if you justify locking animals for their protection or health, how are these tiny cages still allowed these days?🤦). But the rest of the park is beautiful, and really well maintained, with good historical context.
This place is a gem right in the heart of the Charleston area! We visited with two kids and rented bikes so we could explore all of it. They loved the ship and I loved all the gorgeous oak trees. Everyone enjoyed the animal forest. For the price of admission and $8/hr bike rentals this is an amazing way to spend a family day together and learn about our local history!
The last time we visited was about 20 years ago...they have made many improvements! The visitors center is informative and very well done. It is suitable for all ages. When you venture outside, the walk to view the native animals and the site of the original settlement, is a very easy one. They also offer a tram service that goes by every 20 minutes if you find the walk too much. I highly recommend visiting this well maintained, State Park site.
The grounds were OK. It was a nice nature walk. Feel sorry for the animals there they look so sad and neglected. I’m pretty sure because of this I will not go back. I don’t know which is worse Bee City or here I wish they would put them in better environments that suit them. The poor bear was sitting there by his self, so lonely it broke my heart 💔