This Family Friendly Road Trip Along South Carolina's Coast Leads To Whimsical Attractions, Beachfront Sights, And More

A trip to Alligator Adventure is a fun time everyone should have at least once, if not over and over again. Aside from literally more alligators than you can ever conjure up even in your worst nightmare, this fun zoological park also features giant tortoises, birds (think along the pink flamingo and ostrich varieties), other reptiles, lemurs and oh-so much more. Here's a tip though: don't go in the heat of the summer when there is nary a breeze to be found. This many alligators in one place can have a certain unsavory fragrance, even in the cleanest of habitats, which you will certainly find here.

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Visit a beachfront castle built in the Moorish revival style popular in Spain at the time Archer Huntington built this retreat for his wife, American artist and sculptor, Anna Hyatt Huntington. It now rests within the Huntington Beach State Park footprint along the coast in Murrells Inlet.

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Take a tour of Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum and you'll climb aboard three different museum ships: The USS Yorktown (an aircraft carrier), the USS Laffey (a destroyer), and the USS Clamagore (a submarine). Other vessels include some Coast Guard ships and the NS Savannah, the only nuclear ship in the fleet until 1994. Walk in the footsteps of the brave souls that manned these vessels, sit in the very seats they broke in while serving their country, and even lay in the very bunks in which they slept. You don't need to be former military or even Navy to appreciate the rich history of these vessels. The experience is moving, to say the least.

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Throughout American history the pineapple has been a symbol of friendship and hospitality. In the early days, shipping from the Caribbean was a very slow process and so procuring a ripe pineapple was a special occasion and it soon became an equally special offering for a host to share with a guest. Charleston's famed pineapple fountain just may be the most photographed fountain in the entire Southeast. Take about an hour to explore this small, eight-acre park. Park it under the shady canopy of the covered wooden pier on one of the swings, dip your toes in the fountain to cool off, and enjoy the sights and the sounds of the harbor while you take photo after photo of your new favorite landmark.

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You'd be remiss to skip out on stopping into Olde Town Bluffton for a bite to eat, a bit of shopping, and some wonderful fresh-air sightseeing.

Set your sights on any of the restaurants in Olde Town, and if you can score a table, then shoot for the Old Town Dispensary Bar and Restaurant. The American fare here is as varied as can be so everyone is sure to find something on the menu that suits a fancy. After, get out on foot and walk around Olde Town, popping into galleries and shops as you make your way down to the bluff by the May River and the famous Church of the Cross.

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The most popular state park in South Carolina is found along the coast outside of Beaufort. Until a few years ago, the island encompassed about 5,000 acres of pristine coastal wilderness. But today, thanks to the purchase of nearby St. Phillips Island (a private island purchased from Ted Turner), Hunting Island State Park is now approaching a staggering 10,000 acres strong. With a campground, hiking paths, more than five miles of beaches, educational programs, ranger-led tours of Ted Turner's former island lodge estate, the state's only lighthouse you can climb to the top of, and more, there is so much to enjoy at this park! That's why it's at the end of this little road trip. Bring a tent, a hammock, a camper... spend the night or longer!

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