Life Member Tours
LIFE MEMBER TOUR 1 – Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
Patriot’s Point offers a unique opportunity to learn about some of our Country’s finest moments. Understand the Patriotism, Honor and Character that defines all the sacrifices made for our country. Pay tribute to our nation’s heroes aboard the USS Yorktown with a visit to the Medal of Honor Museum, with interactive exhibits that tell the stories of brave Americans who displayed remarkable courage such as Audie Murphy, Sergeant Alvin York and Jimmy Doolittle.
The Yorktown was commissioned in 1943 and participated in the Pacific offensive until the end of WWII. She saw duty in Vietnam and was decommissioned in 1970, and in 1975 was moved to Charleston to become the center piece of Patriot’s Point.
The Yorktown is home to the largest collection of military aircraft in the United States. View some of the earliest naval aircraft to some of the most modern fighters aboard the Yorktown. While on board we will eat lunch in the CPO Galley.
Hear firsthand stories from veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam and the War on Terror. The USS Laffey, a World War II destroyer, the USS Clamagore, a Cold War Submarine memorial, and the only Vietnam Support Base Camp in the U. S. are also located at patriot’s point. The ship has an elevator for special needs guests.
LIFE MEMBER TOUR 2 - Carolina Coastal Marine Education Program
Experience historic Charleston Harbor, where the Ashley and Cooper Rivers meet the Atlantic Ocean, aboard the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Education Vessel Discovery. Participants will learn about the estuarine ecology of the lowcountry, and experience firsthand the wonders of where the rivers meet the sea. The Discovery will pull a miniature shrimp trawl and crewmembers will interpret the diverse array of animals seldom seen beneath the water’s surface. The Discovery will travel close to a seabird nesting island where we will have a chance to view a seabird colony during prime nesting season. Emphasis will also be placed on the historic landmarks visible in the harbor including Fort Sumter, Castle Pinkney, the USS Yorktown and the Charleston Battery. Upon returning to shore we will board the bus and proceed to downtown Charleston for lunch and sightseeing. This tour is limited to 35 people and closed toed shoes are required.
LIFE MEMBER TOUR 2 – Charleston Harbor & Boone Hall Plantation
View historic downtown Charleston and surrounding points while learning about the history of Charleston. Cruise by Ft. Sumter, Patriots Point, The Battery and see Saint Michael’s Episcopal Church steeple. Cruise under the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, over 13,000 feet long, connecting downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant. The cruise will be followed by a visit to Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens, one of America’s oldest working plantations, continually growing crops for over 320 years. The entrance is nearly a one-mile-long drive, with live oaks on either side, planted in 1743.
LIFE MEMBER TOUR 3: Charleston Tea Plantation & Historic Charleston
Begin your day with a visit to the Charleston Tea Plantation. As you cross beautiful marshlands and travel lovely live oak canopied roads you will be treated to the history of the large plantations which once occupied these islands and stories of the unique culture and language of the sea island black people who worked these plantations. The highlight of the tour will be a stop at the Charleston Tea Plantation, the only tea plantation in the United States. Over 100 years ago, tea planters brought their finest tea bushes from China, India, and Ceylon to the South Carolina Lowcountry. On your way back to Charleston drive by the Angel Oak, an amazing 1400 year old live oak tree. Complete your day with a tour of Charleston, one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the south. A box lunch is provided at the Charleston Tea Plantation.
LIFE MEMBER TOUR 4: The Civil War In Charleston & Fort Sumter
Begin your day with a tour of Charleston’s historic district. As you travel her streets filled with beautiful old homes, magnificent churches, and grand public buildings, your guide will bring to life Charleston’s role in the War between the States. You will see the Battery, which was fortified during the war, St. Michael’s church where they painted the steeple black to escape the union bombardment, the site of the building where the ordinance of Secession was signed, the confederate Museum which houses artifacts from the war and the old Citadel.
After touring the city, step back in time to the 1860’s as you travel by boat to Fort Sumter where the Civil War began. As you cruise through Charleston’s beautiful harbor, view the elegant homes along the battery, the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier at Patriot’s Point, and watch the sea gulls and the dolphins play in the harbor.
Upon arrival at Fort Sumter your guide, well versed in Civil War History will take you on an informative tour of this famous bastion and its marvelous museum.
A boxed lunch is included on the Fort Sumter tour.
LIFE MEMBER TOUR 5: Charleston On Your Own
Visit Charleston, one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the south. Her stately homes with their lovely gardens, magnificent public buildings and majestic churches will enchant you. Participants will be shuttled to the downtown to the Charleston Visitors Bureau. From there you can choose to walk the downtown area on your own or through the Charleston Visitors Bureau you can book a guided tour. Downtown attractions include College of Charleston, Harleston Village(one of the early suburbs of the city), the Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina and the Old City Market and of course the famous Battery. Lunch will be on your own.