Fort Dorchester High School is a public school located in North Charleston. The institution is most popular in the city for its International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement programs. Along with the regular school academics, Fort Dorchester also involves its students/staff in several of its clubs for athletic, academic and co-curricular meetings. Several sports events, especially wrestling, are held in the school auditorium. The school also has its own band that presents live musical events.

Located on the former Charleston Naval Base in memory of the thousands of military and civilian personnel who served when the base was open and active, this beautiful park on the west side of the Cooper River is well worth a trip off the beaten tourist path. Steel plate photographs of the Navy Yard from 1901 to 1996 are exhibited against a wall that resembles one side of an aircraft carrier. There are plaques, statues of the Lone Sailor and the Homecoming as well as models of the different ships that were built here (256) or called North Charleston home. Visitors can walk the boardwalk along the river, see the modern art exhibits around the park or let their children play on the playground nearby. Admission is free. Free parking is in a nearby lot. Many festivals and community celebrations are held here. - Natasha Lawrence

Originally a 715-acre (290-hectare) plantation called Snee Farm and owned by four-time Governor of South Carolina Charles Pinckney. this historic attraction is now 28 acres (11 hectares). A leader in the early formation of the United States, Charles Pinckney was a delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Congress in Philadelphia. In 1791, President George Washington visited the plantation during his Southern Tour. An 1828 farmhouse, rebuilt on the site of former buildings destroyed by hurricanes, serves as the visitor center to the park and offers an orientation video, historic exhibits, self-guided tours, archeological sites and bookstore. There is also a half-mile walking tour. Ongoing archeological excavations since 1987 are uncovering important dwellings and plantation items that existed during the Pinckney era. There is no admission fee. Administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, it is closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Complimentary use of wheelchairs is available at the visitor center. -Natasha Lawrence

Set amidst South Carolina Lowcountry breezes from the Intracoastal Waterway and centuries-old live oaks, The Links at Stono Ferry is a refuge from society's hustle.  A former Charleston Area Course of the Year, this championship golf course was designed by Ron Garl and offers one of the most exciting tests in all the Lowcountry. Stono Ferry is a semi-private club open to local and golf vacation play. Whether you are a local or a vacationing golfer, the wonderful golf  experience at Stono Ferry is an exceptional experience. Call for tee times, seasonal rates and more information.

A Trappist monastery located along the Cooper River in Berkeley Country northwest of Charleston, the property has a long history going back to 1681. This was the site of the historic Mepkin Plantation built by Henry Laurens in the 1760s. Publisher Henry Luce bought the property in 1936, then he and his wife, Claire, donated much of the land to Roman Catholic monks who established the Trappist Order here in 1949. Guided tours of the church, gardens and trails are offered daily. Extended stays with meals included are available as a spiritual retreat. There is a gift shop that sells home-grown white oyster mushrooms, locally made jams and honey along with artwork, books and crafts. Admission is free. -Natasha Lawrence

Located near Givhans State Park along the historic Edisto River where tupelo trees grow, this family-owned bee farm aims to educate visitors on the importance of honey bees and the honey they produce. In addition to tours of the farm and bee production, the park offers a petting zoo for children with monkeys, lemurs, lamas and wallabies. A gift shop also features varying sizes of honey and beeswax figures and candles, lip balm, hand creams and chocolate-covered honey candy. The Bee City Café offers simple lunch fare that includes hamburgers, cheeseburgers or hot dogs, but visitors are also welcome to bring a picnic. - Natasha Lawrence

Located a half-hour north of Charleston, this former 1700s rice plantation and black water swamp is a scenic treasure, open to the public since 1932. One admission price allows visitors to follow meandering nature trails over foot bridges and through rice fields, admire azalea and magnolia gardens, take a flat bottom boat out onto the swamp (just follow the arrows on the cypress trees), and explore the Butterfly House, Aquarium and Reptile Center. There are also guides who take groups out on tour boats, but most folks like the chance to paddle and explore on their own. Bring a lunch to enjoy in the picnic and playground area while the kiddies romp on the giant spider web made of rope. Gift and snack shop. Parking is free. Don't forget your camera. - Natasha Lawrence

The oval shaped arena consists of four primary seating positions- upper fixed, lower fixed, lower risers and floor. The facility seats up to 13,295 people. State-of-art audio-video facilites, add to the mood of the events. Floors change for concert, hockey and basketball events. The arena features artists such as Amy Grant and The Eagles, performances by the Charleston Symphony, and sporting events by Motorcross FMX and Charleston's very own hockey team, the Stingrays.

Get the family together and spend some time playing the 18-hole "tropical" miniature golf course, riding go-karts and tooling around on the bumper boats. The park also offers a large arcade, batting cage and rock climbing wall. For the really adventurous, there's the "Trampoline Thing." Golf fans are happy to send their kids off with a handful of tokens and practice their swing at the Golf Range. The Pizza Shop on site lets you spend the whole day playing. Party packages are available.

Located in Charleston Harbor, this museum is home to USS Yorktown, nicknamed "The Fighting Lady." This historic battleship played an important role in the Pacific in WWII, sinking the largest battleship ever built. In 1970, Yorktown participated in the recovery of the crew of Apollo 8, shortly before being decommissioned. Moored beside her is USS Laffey, a WWII destroyer, and USS Clamagore, a diesel attack submarine. Many interesting displays and exhibits lie within these vessels. Admission: $15 Adults; $13 Seniors and Active Duty Military with ID; $8 Children ages 6-11; children under age 6 are free with adult ticket.