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Audubon Swamp Gardens
5 reviews for Audubon Swamp Gardens
5 reviews in English
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Review from Leslie G.
2/25/2012
My boyfriend and I visited the Audubon Swamp Gardens on a recent vacation in Charleston. We went to visit the grounds of Magnolia Plantation, but then saw we could do this as well for an additional 8 dollars and decided to add it on. Since we were there in February, there were no bugs, which made walking around pretty pleasant. On the day we went, it was in the upper 50s and sunny. The swamp was beautiful and green, and we saw a ton of wildlife, including: great blue herons, little blue heron, white ibis, blue-winged teal, wood duck, red-shouldered hawk, marsh rabbits, alligators, turtles, etc.
The trails here are either on wooden boardwalks over the swampy areas, or on concrete walkways and dirt trails. All are well-maintained. It was clear that this place is a haven for birders (makes sense since it's run by Audubon), and we had a nice chat with one of them who pointed out a lot of birds to us. She said that the number of birds increases dramatically in March and April. I felt like we saw a lot of birds as it was, but I'm sure it would be really cool to return at the height of spring.
This place isn't huge, but I think it would be easy to spend several hours here observing the wildlife. We really enjoyed it and would definitely return if we come to Charleston again.Listed in: Out of Town, Nature Stuff
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Review from Filly G.
Chicago, IL
2/24/2012 1 photo
Go here!
Mother Nature had her hair in a mess and was missing half of her clothes when I arrived at Audubon Swamp Gardens. But that's how I like it...nice and dirty.
If you love nature hikes, then this is most definitely worth a visit. While hiking here, I ran across a group of Great Blue Herons creating nests in a big fuzzy white tree. Even more awesome was that they invited me into their tree to share tea and crumpets with them. I only had one cup of tea and abruptly left. (Quick tip: If any of the GBHs offer you a cup of tea when you visit, pass. My cup tasted awful. I'm pretty sure they used swamp water in it, but I didn't want to be rood so I finished it.) As I was sitting in a GBH's nest, a couple of the GBHs on a nearby branch got into a cat fight, and it's always terribly embarrassing when two large birds are heatedly arguing in front of you. You never really know what to say to them, so you start looking around at random things on the wall (things that aren't actually there), and finally come up with a reason to leave, such as "Oh, you're out of honey? Well, I best be on my way then."
I saw quite a few other wahsome birds, including Red-shouldered Hawks, Little Blue Herons, Tri-colored Herons, and a huge flock of horny Ibises. Ibises are supposedly monogamous, but I'm pretty sure this group wasn't because there were quite a few people filming them with these ginormous cameras. Not only that, but the Ibises were making lots of odd noises. Sounded fishy to me, so I put the clues together: two + two = Ibis orgy.
Anyway, I also spotted some bigass alligators (and a couple of newborns) hanging out on large planks of wood. I was going to jump into the marsh to give one a hug, but I decided against it because I don't like getting my socks wet, and I didn't bring a spare pair with me. Have you ever walked around with squishy socks? It sucks horribly. So don't swim out to chat up the alligators unless you've brought an extra pair.
I'm sure there's more that I'm not recalling, but I've already written enough for you to get the idea. Oh yeah, you have to buy a ticket at the Magnolia Plantation just down the road. It costs $8 to visit this mofo, but it's worth it.Listed in: Charleston, SC: Visit this…
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Review from Nicole D.
Lexington Park, MD
8/17/2011
The Audubon Swamp Gardens were beautiful and well-occupied by much of the local wildlife. The gardens are well-worth the drive out to Magnolia Plantation and Gardens (from Charleston... about twenty minutes).
During our walk, we spotted several interesting creatures, specifically an alligator.
I would recommend this walking tour (without a guide) just before dusk, because the light has a nice way of peeking from around the trees, which makes the swamps waters look more majestic and even a little spooky.
I would recommend finding a map of the walks to assist in making your way around the swamp. -
Review from Ahdri K.
Aiken, SC
8/18/2011
It must have been mating season for the "hi, im as big as your freakin face and like to put my 6 foot web directly accross the path" spiders. My boyfriend eventually took on the jungle man look, wielding a large stick for precaution and giant face sized spider transplanting. we got to see a gator, a whole one not just a green fuz covered eyeball. The turtles were talkative, the flowers beautiful, and the overall experience was awesome..........buuutttt
The direction of the exit needs to be more clearly marked. Granted, im sure we were so distracted by the spiders, (and mesquitos so big you could feel them land on your shoulder, and openly mock your choice of fabric in a squeeky voice as they plunge through your clothes, skin, into your soul, to hand deliver your west nile. seriously, so many they were in my eyes and i could see a constant cloud of them between the boyfriend and i)...we may have missed the exit signs. But we ended up in a slave graveyard (which dont get me wrong, was super cool), where the trail turned into a guess. We followed the obvious path (though clearly not a normal tourist path). Finally we came to the highway (um...what?) Yes, the highway. Like a mile from the entrance where the car was parked-where the normal exit is.
This path is marked by a red arrow painted on the tree.
After giving me a quick "wanna turn back and see where we missed it?" glance, and receiving a shrill "F&@* THAT, IM F*#&$@* DONE WITH THIS MESQUITO S%#@" the boyfriend trecked along side me on the highway back to the car.
But yes, we'd totally do it again. -
Review from Rosie R.
Menlo Park, CA
7/30/2008
Beautiful and spooky. Located adjacent to Magnolia Plantation, one of three surviving plantations along the Ashley River (the others being Drayton Hall and Middleton Place.)
So instead of walking near the swamp or along the swamp, you're walking OVER the swamp on a narrow wooden boardwalk, with alligators lazing nearby. (There's a sign with a smiling, cartoon gator saying "Don't look me in the eye, I can outrun you" or something like that. Ha ha, it's a joke, right?) And then you turn a corner and there's the slaves' graveyard, and you're alone in the swamp, and your mind cues the banjo music.... I said it was kinda spooky.
