The Lowcountry is full of natural wonders and a wide variety of interesting activities. If you are looking for a change from the beaches of Hilton Head Island and the shops of Old Town Bluffton, make memories that last a lifetime with a family day trip to the Bee City Zoo in Cottageville, SC. A family owned business for over 30 years, Bee City Zoo is both a bee farm and an interactive zoo.
The Lowcountry is home to one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the Atlantic Coast, the ACE Basin. The name is derived from the combination of the Ashepoo, Combahee and Edisto Rivers. This unique estuarine system is home to an abundant array of maritime resources. The approximately 350,000 acres of varied environments support forested wetlands, fresh, brackish and salt water tidal marshes, barrier islands, beaches as well as pine and hardwood uplands. Both the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the US Forest and Wildlife Service manage parts of the ACE Basin.
The Lowcountry has a long, proud military heritage. A shining example of pride, patriotism, honor and courage was set by the men known as the Tuskegee Airmen.
In 1975 4,053 acres of tidal creek, salt marsh, freshwater ponds, open fields and maritime forest located between the South Carolina mainland and Hilton Head Island were donated to the government and Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge was established to provide a nature and forest preserve for aesthetic and conservation purposes. The refuge is comprised of several islands and small hammocks, with Pinckney Island being the largest.
Hear the word “plantation” and visions of moss-draped trees, dramatic entrances and wide, sweeping verandas come to mind. But famed architect, Frank Lloyd Wright had his own vision. In 1939 C. Leigh Stevens, owner 4,000 acres of land amidst the cypress swamps of the Combahee River combined from the Old Combahee, Mount Alexander, Richfield, Charlton and Old Brass plantations in Yemassee, SC, commissioned Wright to design a contemporary, self-sufficient plantation, not just for farming but for entertaining and hunting, too. Wright’s design was centered around a home in harmony with its natural surroundings. Along with a main house and multiple guest cottages and service quarters, he envisioned a complex of outbuildings stables, pavilions and kennels. Plans also included laundry and bath houses for the staff and a swimming pool. The creation of Auldbrass was underway.
In 2014 the former Lemon Island Marina was transformed into the Maritime Center. The Port Royal Sound Foundation established the center to provide stimulating hands-on educational experiences, both indoor and outdoor, for everyone.
Beaufort National Cemetery was established in 1863 for burial of Union troops who perished during the Civil War. Over one hundred Confederate soldiers are buried there as well. The site serves as the final resting place for over 20,000 veterans from every major American conflict.
The local tide calendar is a must when you are planning your outings and excursions
here on Hilton Head Island, SC and the Lowcountry. Here is the August tide calendar to
help you plan your day and organize your day trips.