Lowcountry Region
The Best Friend Rail Trail

The Best Friend train, Charleston. Photo by Ron Anton Rocz.

Parallel to and intersecting with the Rivers and Rice Trail is the Best Friend Rail Trail. This trail commemorates America's first passenger-carrying railroad. On Christmas Day, 1830, the Best Friend traveled at a great speed of twenty miles per hour from Charleston. On that first trip, the Best Friend only ran 6 miles. The track eventually went to Hamburg, South Carolina (present-day North Augusta), but the Best Friend blew up before the track was completed to Hamburg. The railroad would catapult this area into the industrial age. Visit the towns of St. George, Dorchester, and Ridgeville, on Highway 78. Note how much of the architecture dates from the Victorian period and how these houses and businesses face the rails that brought economic gain. Don't miss Francis Beidler Forest -- Audubon Sanctuary -- located in Harleyville off Highway 178. Continue to travel on Highway 78 to Summerville, founded as a pineland summer village retreat, and featuring a charming historic district, museum, lodging, dining, and shopping. There are two routes to traverse from Summerville.

St. Paul's AME Campground, Harleyville. Photo by Julia Cart Day.

The direct route is to continue to follow Highway 78 to Charleston, visiting the city of North Charleston, where war worker housing and related World War II and Cold War sites can be viewed.

An alternate route connects Highway 78 in Summerville to Highway 61 via SC 165. This route highlights historic and natural sites. Visit Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site (on SC 642), then continue to travel State Scenic Highway 61, where the stately plantations of Middleton Place, Magnolia Plantation, and Drayton Hall grace the Ashley River. Follow this path to Charles Towne Landing, the site of the first permanent settlement of Charleston from 1670 to 1680. From this point, the traveler may venture on the Coastal Trail or the Sea Islands Trail.

East Arden House (Flowertown), Summerville. Photo by Ron Anton Rocz.

Carolina Heritage Outfitters
Highway 15, Canadys
Stay in a spectacular treehouse or a primitive cabin, or camp in our private wildlife refuge when you paddle the Edisto River trail. (843) 563-5051.

Linwood Bed & Breakfast
200 South Palmetto Street, Summerville
Enjoy hospitality and comfort at this beautiful historic home of 19th-century plantation owners. Stroll through the gardens, swim in the pool, relax. From $75. (843) 871-2626.

Woodlands Resort & Inn
125 Parsons Road, Summerville
This exquisite Relais & Chateau Country Inn features a AAA 5-Diamond dining room, spa services, tennis, croquet, and more. 1-800-774-9999 or (843) 875-2600.

Town of St. George
305 Ridge Street, St. George
Welcome to St. George--town of friendly people and home of the World Grits Festival. (843) 563-3032.

Givhans Ferry State Park
746 Givhans Ferry Road, Ridgeville
Situated on one of South Carolina's most scenic rivers -- the Edisto -- this park offers cabins, a campground, and picnic shelters. (843) 873-0692.

Francis Beidler Forest
336 Sanctuary Road, Harleyville
Located in 4 Holes Swamp, it contains the largest remaining stand of virgin cypress swamp forest in the world. A 1-3/4 mile boardwalk allows visitors to observe 1000-year-old trees and native wildlife. Canoe trips possible in season. (843) 462-2150.

Carolina Heritage Outfitters
Highway 15, Canadys
Canoe and kayak the Edisto River Trail and stay at our private wildlife refuge. (843) 563-5051.

Town of Summerville
106 E. Doty Avenue, Summerville
Historic Summerville is a special place, with great shopping, restaurants, large parks, and a National Register area featuring elegant and beautiful 19th-century homes and gardens. Near Ashley River Road plantations. (843) 873-2931.

Summerville Dorchester Museum
100 E. Doty Avenue, Summerville
Area history from prehistoric to present, including fossils, natural history, law enforcement, and early settlement. Wednesday-Friday, 10:00-2:00; Saturday, 2:00-5:00. (843) 875-9666.

Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site
300 State Park Road, Summerville
This historic site on the Ashley River offers the visitor an opportunity to view excavated sites and an 18th-century bell tower and canoe the Ashley River in search of shipwrecks. (843) 873-1740.

Middleton Place
Ashley River Road, Charleston
National Historic Landmark encompassing America's oldest landscaped gardens, the Middleton Place House, and Plantation Stableyards. Restaurant serves lunch daily and dinner Friday and Saturday evenings. Museum Shop. Daily, 9:00-5:00. Admission. (843) 556-6020.

Magnolia Plantation and its Gardens
Ashley River Road, Charleston
Magnolia Plantation (c. 1676) features year-round garden bloom, guided house and nature train tours, Audubon Swamp Garden, Barbados Tropical garden, maze, petting zoo, gift shop, art gallery, snack shop, and more! Daily, 8:00-5:30. Call for November-February hours. (843) 571-1266 or 1-800-367-3517.

Drayton Hall
Ashley River Road, Charleston
Drayton Hall (c. 1738) offers exceptional guided tours of one of the finest examples of Georgian Palladian architecture in America and self-guided walks of the marsh and river. The historic house stands majestically on a 125-acre site and is filled not with furniture but with original 18th-century craftsmanship. This National Historic Landmark is a National Trust historic site. (843) 769-2600.

City of North Charleston
4200 LaCross Road, North Charleston
The city of North Charleston offer various finds for the visitor. The Old Village historic district boasts antiques and quaint ships, nearby neighborhoods include WWII war worker housing for shipbuilders and military families. The city's heritage trail showcases historic landmarks such as Ferry Park, two-story barracks, the Stark Hospital, churches, and train stations. Guided tours of the Air Force base are also available. 1-800-864-3735.

North Charleston Visitor Center
3107 Firestone Road, North Charleston
Complete information on North Charleston and the Charleston area. 1-800-868-8118.

Vaughan's General Store
437 S. Railroad Avenue, Ridgeville
A unique old-fashioned general store featuring garden supplies, hardware, fresh homemade sausages, meats, groceries, furniture, feed, and more! Monday-Saturday, 6:30am-7:00pm. (843) 873-1716.