Charleston, SC | A Fairytale Day at Cypress Gardens & Beyond 🌿🛶✨

If you’re looking for a dreamy escape where time seems to slow down, Charleston delivers — especially when you follow a day like this one! We started our morning at Cypress Gardens — the very same enchanting cypress swamp where The Notebook’s iconic rowboat scene was filmed 🎬💞. Ticket price: $10 per person 🎟️ Opening time: 9:00 AM We arrived around 10:30 AM and headed straight to the Boat Dock. You can scan a QR code there (or near the Gift Shop) to join the virtual waitlist for rowboat rentals. To our surprise, within just 10 minutes, we got a text saying our boat was ready! 🚣♀️📲 Talk about luck! Gliding through the still black water, surrounded by ancient cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, truly felt like stepping into a movie — serene, romantic, and almost surreal 💚🌫️. After rowing, we hopped back in the car and drove about 45 minutes to downtown Charleston — home of the famous Pineapple Fountain 🍍⛲ and Rainbow Row 🌈. A short walk through the historic streets led us to: Waterfront Park: Where the Pineapple Fountain sparkles under the sun ☀️💦 Rainbow Row: Those pastel-colored historic homes you’ve definitely seen on Instagram — unbelievably photogenic! 📸❤️ Quaint cobblestone lanes, gas lanterns, and hidden gardens — every turn is a postcard waiting to happen 🏮🌺 We wrapped the day with sweet tea, a slow stroll along The Battery, and the kind of golden-hour light that makes everything look soft and magical 🌆🍯. ✨ If You Go – Tips & extras: 🕘 Go early to Cypress Gardens to avoid long waits — especially on weekends! 👟 Wear comfortable shoes — downtown Charleston is best explored on foot. 🅿️ Street parking can be tricky — consider public lots or garages. 📍 Don’t miss: The Charleston City Market for local crafts, and a peek inside the historic St. Michael’s Church. 🧺 Pack a picnic — many parks and waterfront spots are perfect for it! Charleston isn’t just a destination — it’s a mood. Slow, sweet, and full of soul 🍃🤍. #SouthCarolina #Charleston #CypressGardens #TheNotebook #PineappleFountain #RainbowRow #TravelDreams #SouthernCharm #FairytaleVibes #WanderSlowly 🌎📘✨