55. South Carolina Aquarium   
100 Aquarium Wharf

The 93,000 square foot South Carolina Aquarium opened in May, 2000. Since that time, over three million people have visited this wonderful facility that juts out 200 feet into the Charleston Harbor. It is known for its state-of-the-art environmental learning center that includes nine galleries featuring 6,313 specimens of animals and 12,000 specimens of plants. Its largest exhibit is the Great Ocean Tank, which extends from the first to the third floor of the building and holds over 385,000 gallons of water, and contains over 450 animals. The Aquarium is open daily year around with summer and winter hours. For more information, visit South Carolina Aquarium's page.

56. Charleston Museum   
360 Meeting Street

Founded in 1773, the Charleston Museum is America’s first museum. The museum’s exhibits include collections of objects from Charleston’s and the Lowcountry’s rich cultural and natural history. You will find presentations on Native Americans, trade and commerce, the plantation system, African-American contributions, and the Civil War. It also owns two National Landmark homes, the Joseph Manigault and the Heyward-Washington Houses. There is something for everyone here, whether you are interested in artifacts from the Revolutionary War era or Southeastern birds.

57. The Citadel   
17 Moultrie Street

The first site of South Carolina’s premier military academy was in the castle-like structure in Marion Square. A group of 20 young men formed the first Corps of Cadets. In 1861 a group of cadets manning a battery on Morris Island fired upon a Union vessel in one of the first actions of the Civil War. In 1922 the school moved to its present location along the Ashley River. Visitors are invited to view its 176-acre, 24-building campus, or stop in at the Citadel Memorial Military Museum to learn more about the proud history of this school.

58. Fort Sumter National Monument      

Fort Sumter was one of a series of coastal fortifications built by the United States after the War of 1812. Begun in 1829 and named for South Carolina Revolutionary War patriot Thomas Sumter, the fort was still unfinished when first occupied by an 85-man Federal garrison in 1860. This massive five-sided, three story fort of 2.4 acres was one of few forts in the South that remained in Federal control during the immediate months after South Carolina and six other states seceded from the Union. Fort Sumter was the site of the opening battle of the Civil War on April 12, 1861. For more information, visit Fort Sumter's page.

59. Charleston Tea Plantation   
6617 Maybank Hwy., Wadmalaw Island

Tea bushes were first brought from China to the Lowcountry in the mid-1800’s. The descendents of these plants are again being cultivated on the 127-acre Charleston Tea Plantation on Wadlamaw Island. The plantation provides American Classic Tea, a high-quality black tea known for its mild and sweet flavor. It is the only tea plantation in North America. You can tour the factory almost everyday to see how the plant becomes the drink. The Charleston Tea Plantation is located only about 25 minutes from downtown Charleston. For more information, visit Charleston Tea Plantation's page.

60. USS Yorktown   
Patriot's Point, Mt. Pleasant

Just across the river from Charleston is one of the world’s largest naval and maritime museums. The centerpiece of the museum is undeniably the USS Yorktown, known as “The Fighting Lady.” But this former aircraft carrier is just one piece of Patriots Point Maritime Museum. Alongside the Yorktown is the Laffey, a destroyer that saw service during World War II, the Coast Guard Cutter Ingham, which patrolled U.S. shores for over 50 years, and the Cold War-era submarine Clamagore. The Congressional Medal of Honor Museum is also located on the site.