Bodkin, David B OD

If you like a serving of history along with your outdoor adventure, then Bull Island is your dream destination. Located in Awendaw, SC, just a few minutes outside of Charleston, Bull Island Beach will draw you in to its dramatic stories and sunny shores. Once a haven for pirates, then later the site for the Martellow Tower which didn't survive the Civil War, this area was eventually developed into part of the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in 1932. That unbreakable bond between history and nature is very much alive, and you can see it everywhere from the picturesque woodland trails all the way to the beach's inviting shores.

Enjoy the best of both worlds at the North Charleston Wannamaker County Park. The kids will love running free in the expansive park that spreads out over 1,000 acres. The park features various terrains for the kids to explore that include paved and unpaved trails and spacious fields for any type of sport they choose. The attraction also features picnic tables, a snack bar, playgrounds, restrooms and lots of parking. Plus, the area features a water park that offers many rides for all ages. To make visiting the aquatic adventure more convenient, there are also changing rooms and water equipment rentals available.

If you want to really dive into a truly memorable experience that tells the tale of Charleston's nature and history, then take a trip to the South Carolina Aquarium. There are more than a few photo-opportunities at this seaside attraction, like the excellent, panoramic views of the historic harbor where the Aquarium makes its home. You'll marvel at the displays that tell the stories of the area's natural regions such as the Coastal Plain, Mountain Forest, Piedmont and the Atlantic Coast. Also, you'll get to view an amazing collection of reptiles, birds and other creatures that are part of several interactive exhibits that the kids will never forget.

Drayton Hall is more than a house, in the same way that your relationship with your partner is more than a relationship. This historic structure is a dramatic symbol of survival. Having weathered everything from the American Revolution to the Civil War to the earthquake of 1886 to Hurricane Hugo, it's clear that this house symbolizes strength in the face of any adversity. The grounds represent one of the most historic, undisturbed landscapes in American history, as Drayton Hall is kept not in the way that we imagined it to be, but in the way that it really was over one hundred years ago. It's a dramatically appropriate destination for a romantic walk through the grounds, and if the two of you prefer, you can be a part of a group tour or take in any of the special presentations that are scheduled at various times.