My wife and I recently went on a weeks stay to Charleston South Carolina. For the most part we stayed in the city. One morning we did take a half hour drive northwest of the city to Cypress Gardens, and we a very happy we did.

In February, this was definitely the off season so I can give you a review from that perspective only. I do know it gets MUCH more crowded in the warmer months.

BRIEF HISTORY

The grounds were first used as a rice plantation in the 1720's. It was a flourishing business that grew for years. The structure on the estate was known as the Nesbit House. A hundred years later Dean Hall was built. Both structures were later moved. Due to the Civil War there was less use of the land and hurricanes damaged the rice crops even further.

In 1909 an entrepreneur purchased the land as a get-away piece of land perfect for duck hunting. In 1927 he hired two hundred men and started planting magnolias, azaleas, dogwood trees, and tea olives. This was augmented by a planting exotic trees and native species and all sorts of bulbs. He then had paths and walkways put in to join the dikes of the original reservoir that is now known as the Cypress Gardens Swamp. Five years later he opened the grounds to the public and it still continues to bring in people to this day.

In more recent years many building were constructed to support and enhance his gardens. Most notably of these are the Butterfly House and Aquarium/Reptile Center.

SOME BASICS

Cypress Gardens
3030Cypress Gardens Rd.
Moncks Corner, SC, 29461
(843)553-0515
email: info@cypressgardens.org

www.cypressgardens.org

Cypress Gardens is open daily 9-5 and closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day and New Years Day

Cypress Gardens is located 24 miles northwest of Charleston.

About five miles of easy hiking trails

Boat rides are part of the admission price.

General Admission Rates*:
Adults $9.00
Seniors (age 65 ) $8.00
Children (age 6-12) $3.00
Children (age 5 and below) Free
* Rates may vary on special event days.

When in Charleston look for pamphlets that give you one dollar off admission. They are at the Visitors Center and in many Hotel Lobbies and the like.

There is a small picnic area and a few vending machines with sodas and chips. There were no restaurants on the grounds.

The restrooms were clean and well stocked.

ENTRY

There was plenty of free parking available just a short walk from the entrance.

The first thing we did was get a map at the Ticket Booth in the gift shop. It is there where you pay admission and are given a bracelet to be worn at all times. The gift shop does have the usual souvenir trapping but was comfortable and had a nice atmosphere. It's evidently a relatively newer building on the grounds.

Inside this area was also a small "please touch" kids area with feathers, snake skins, bones and such.

TRAILS

With our map in hands we did a bit of walking over the well marked and maintained paths around and through the swamps. Bring your camera. The dark flat waters of the swamp area creates wonderful reflections and the Cypress trees growing out of the water create an eerie mood. There were a lot of the wildlife and nature trail that we didn't even get near. I could tell that even on a busy day, it looks very possible to get out on your own.

BOATING

There are flat bottom boats that are delegated on a first come first served basis. We were there when it was relatively quiet except for a school group.

You can take a boat out on your own. We were two in our boat. I'm not sure of the restrictions. My guess is that two adults and two children could ride safely. Everyone must bring a life preserver seat cushion on the boat. They are provided. Younger children will find vests available. Though I don't know if it's mandatory to wear them, I strongly suggest that everyone who cannot swim should wear one.

Having said that, I don't recommend going into the water in any case. The alligators frown upon intrusion in their home. We didn't see any but were assured that in the summer months they are easily seen.

Taking the boat out was our highlight there. We paddled our way following the arrows that direct you around the swamp area. It was haunting in some areas and we did get some wonderful photos. You travel under a small bridge where you must duck. The boat ride, with everyone following the same basic path, it is well organized.

You can also take a guided boat ride. These large flat bottoms looked like they would hold about a dozen or so people. We watched a couple go out and the oarsmen/guides were giving a bit of history of the area.

MOVIE SET

The most notable non-natural feature you will notice is the ruins of a church. This was used as the meeting place Mel Gibson's movie "The Patriot." This church, that is just a look of the front wall of an old mission style structure was in many photos being taken.

I also read on the Charleston.net site that the gardens were the set for many other movies too. These include "The Swamp Thing," "Rear View Mirror," "North and South," "The Yearling," "Cold Mountain," and "The Notebook."

BUTTERFLY HOUSE

This atrium style building makes it feel like you have walked into a steam bath. OK, not quite so hot by it is humid. As some kids were leaving the pavilion their leader was carefully picking errant butterflies off their clothes. This is done without touching the wings so as to not harm them.

The area has subtropical and tropical flora and of course butterflies flying around inside freely. My wife took her obligatory picture of a butterfly on a flower. It turned out to be a good one and is in out travel album. The Butterfly House is a nice area, yet nothing all that glorious.

There is a beehive inside the house. They were in a dormant state while we were there. I'm sure that in just a couple of weeks the hive would "come alive". They are glassed in so there is no direct contact with the public.

AQUARIUM

This building houses 24,00 gallons of water and fish within many tanks. It shows local fish like some pretty big looking catfish. I jokingly wonderer if any of these were used in the movie "BIG FISH" where the dad wrestles with the huge aquatic animal. There were also Carp, Sturgeon and many other fish along with turtles and frogs in this darkened and humid building.

The REPTILE CENTER

Attached to the aquarium is the reptile house. First you walk through an area with tropical birds like cockatoos and parrots. These guys were literally screaming for attention.

There were many reptiles in the house including crocodiles of all sizes, and poisonous and constrictor snakes. Other native reptiles were also displayed in small habitats. I like the informal atmosphere of this place. Short bits of info were at each station.

MORE OUTSIDE

Outside there were pens that held giant tortoise. Don't forget to see some of the alligators. Some of these were huge monsters!

IN CLOSING

This place was far from having state-of-the-art facilities. It is also NOT as big and commercial as the huge theme park in Florida and does not have rides and entertainment. This is however a nicely displayed and interesting park. We particularly enjoyed our boat ride and we have some great photos of this place for memories.


Other local Charleston reviews by popsrocks

Charleston, Much to see and enjoy!

Charleston Place A fine hotel and well located.
Embassy Suites
Charleston, A recommended Charleston Hotel

Gullah Tours An amazing tour with an African American slant. I Strongly recommend this one!!
Fort Sumter Where the Civil War started.
Cypress Gardens, South Carolina a fun half day visit
The GIBBES MUSEUM

Sticky Fingers A local chain restaurant featuring ribs, chicken and pulled pork.
MISTRAL Restaurant Our favorite in Charleston
Tommy Condon Irish Pub Restaurant Food Drink & Entertainment in the Market Street area.
High Cotton Maverick Bar and Grill Live it up and try this place!
Joseph's Restaurant Breakfast and Lunch








Recommended: Yes

Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Mar - May