White Point Gardens – Charleston, South Carolina

White Point Gardens is a historic, waterfront park located on the Charleston Battery. The area was first called “Oyster Point” because of the shells that covered the ground. Within a few years, the shells had been bleached by the sun, and by the late 1600s it had become known as “White Point” instead. It officially became White Point Garden in 1837, and today the shells are covered by a lovely lawn and giant live oaks.

The park features numerous Civil War-era cannons for children to climb on, as well as a gazebo-like bandstand. There are many monuments as well, including one for the notorious pirate Stede Bonnet, who was hanged here with about 50 other outlaws in the 1720s.

Even though the park is officially named White Point Garden (singular), many Charlestonians refer to it as White Point Gardens (plural) instead. Either way, it is a lovely place to enjoy a waterfront view, a nice breeze, and a picnic!