An American Experience

Explore the southern United States history, sightseeing in Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia on this student educational field trip!

Travel north across the Florida border, through southeast Georgia eventually arriving at the historic coastal town of Charleston, South Carolina. After checking into the hotel, students enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and prepare for the next morning’s adventure.

The day begins, as students board a Percheron horse-drawn carriage, sightseeing in historic Charleston. On the narrated tour, students are transported to the colorful past of historic Charleston, while observing antebellum architecture along the way. Next students delve deeper into the historic past of Charleston touring the Old Slave Mart. Constructed in 1859, this site once housed an antebellum slave auction gallery and believed to be the last extant slave auction facility in South Carolina. In addition to historic downtown Charleston, students travel to the out skirts of town to explore life on a plantation. Spend the afternoon touring the buildings and grounds of both Drayton Hall and Magnolia Plantation. Students experience the magnificence of life on a plantation and the unsettling realities of a day in a life of a slave. Undoubtedly, a historical journey back in time depicting old South Carolina life. In the evening, begin the journey through historic downtown Charleston, as students prepare for the exciting Bull Dog Ghost and Graveyard Walking Tour. Filled with thoughts from the past and adventures in the present, back in hotel rooms, students rest for the next day’s activities.

In the morning, students board Spiritline Cruises that ferry the group across Charleston harbor to explore Fort Sumter. Fort Sumter is the historic site of the first shots fired in 1861 that started the American Civil War. At the Fort, students step back in time and imagine life during these uncertain times. Touring Fort Sumter, students observe how soldiers lived in the structure that consequently protected Charleston, South Carolina since the early 1800’s. Next, students tour the famous South Carolina Aquarium and explore North Americas deepest tank, a two story 385,000-gallon tank called the Great Ocean Tank. Students tour the many exhibits and can interact with several species of invertebrates, like whelks, sea urchins, horseshoe crabs and Atlantic stingrays. Continuing the day with a final stop at the historic military aircraft carrier, USS Yorktown. Commissioned in 1943, this famous aircraft carrier was participating significantly in the Pacific offensive during World War II. Students tour the inner workings of this aircraft carrier as they walk in the step of past heroes. In the evening, students dine at a local favorite restaurant in downtown Charleston before returning to hotel rooms in preparation for an early morning departure.

Beginning the day, the educational student field trip continues as students travel south to the beautiful and historic city of Savannah, Georgia. Arriving in Savannah, at the Wormsloe Historic Site, also informally know as Wormsloe Plantation, certainly one of the most famous driveways in the world. A breathtaking avenue sheltered by lives oaks and Spanish moss leads to the tabby ruins of Wormsloe plantation, the colonial estate of Nobel Jones who arrived in Georgia in 1733 with James Oglethorpe. Students follow the journey of the first settlers from England and learn about the challenges these early colonists faced. Similarly, the day continues with a short trip to the Pin Point Heritage Museum, where students explore the rich history of the Gullah/Geechee culture.

Formerly an oyster and crab factory, this close-knit community of freed African slaves share a rich history and intimate relationship with the natural environment to this day. Next students get acquainted with Savannah’s unique network of streets and squares on a narrated sightseeing Trolley Tour of this historic downtown city. Established in 1733, when General James Oglethorpe landed on the shores of the Savannah River, and proposed his famous urban city plan. Today Savannah is one of the largest urban historic districts in the United States and still includes twenty-two of the original squares laid out as the city planned by Oglethorpe himself. Continuing the day, students arrive at Old Fort Jackson, the oldest brick fortification on the east coast. At Fort Jackson, history comes alive, as students become Civil War soldiers. Student groups learn what life of a civil war solider was like, including battlefield communication skills and how to fire a cannon. Checking-in to the hotel, students prepare for dinner and a stroll along the riverfront open markets featuring local vendors. Finally, the evening ends as students board a Trolley for one of Savannah’s famous Ghost Tours. Listening to stories, students travel along legendary streets and shadowy squares of one of the most haunted cities in America! Snug in rooms, students rest for the final day in Savannah and journey home.

Beginning the day, as students visit the First African Baptist Church, the oldest continuous black church in North America. Follow the history of this church built in 1850, completed in 1859, by both free African Americans and slaves. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, view the connection to the underground railroad and inspiration in the original pews, certainly an important historic building in Savannah.

Finally, begin the journey home reflecting on the rich history of sightseeing in Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia.