The Battery, Charleston (must see)

Charleston's White Point Garden, commonly known as the Battery, may not fit the traditional definition of an "attraction" like a museum or a fort, but it holds a unique place in the hearts of visitors and residents alike. While it's not an official attraction, it's almost a rite of passage for first-time visitors to stroll through this historic site. In a city where nearly every building and street holds historical significance, few places offer a more comprehensive glimpse into Charleston's 300-year history.

This picturesque spot at the eastern end of East Bay Street is now a serene park adorned with statues, monuments, ancient cannons, and majestic live oak trees—though the ambiance has not always been so tranquil. This site has been a prominent feature in Charleston since the early days of English settlement when it was known as Oyster Point due to its marshy beach covered in white oyster shells. Initially, it mainly served as a navigational aid for ships entering and leaving the harbor and only gained notoriety in the 1720s when infamous pirate Stede Bonnet and his crew were hanged here from makeshift gallows. These executions effectively put an end to pirate activities that had plagued the Carolina coast. Then, during the War of 1812, a fort was built in the area, giving rise to the popular name "the Battery".

The site was officially designated as a park in 1837 when the city reconfigured certain streets to create White Point Garden. It was from this vantage point that Charlestonians witnessed the opening shots of the Civil War on April 12, 1861, as Confederate fortifications across the river exchanged fire with Union troops stationed in Fort Sumter. Once the war started, this peaceful garden was dramatically transformed into two massive earthwork batteries as part of Charleston's inner defense line. While the end of the Civil War marked the conclusion of the Battery's military role, poignant reminders of subsequent wars remain in the form of cannons and monuments, each accompanied by informative plaques or markers.

As a tourist destination, the Battery is also famous for its collection of elegant, predominantly antebellum homes.