Nothing finer: Views in Carolina
Want to "up" your great view of the South Carolina coast? Get above sea level at these spots in and around top attractions.
THE SKYWHEEL
Myrtle Beach -- a town that trots out a new "next big thing" just about every year -- is about to outdo itself with the SkyWheel, a beachfront Ferris wheel. When it opens in late May, it will have 42 gondolas. As the wheel turns, you'll eventually be 200 feet above sea level, able to see roughly 25 miles up the coast to the North Carolina border. Rides will last eight to 12 minutes, given loading time and occupancy (each glass-enclosed gondola can hold up to six passengers). The attraction will be fitted with 1 million LED light bulbs for after-dark display. Special effects will kick in for a full-blown light show once or twice a night ($12 adults, $8 ages 3-11; 843-839-9200, skywheelusa.com).
THAT TROPICAL TOUCH
The 943-acre Palmetto Islands County Park in Mount Pleasant is nature- and family-oriented, with bike paths, picnic sites and grills. The setting has a tropical look; so does the park's 50-foot observation tower ($1 admission, 843-884-0832, ccprc.com).
THE LIGHTHOUSE
Hilton Head harbor holds a 90-foot tower that, in 1970, was the first privately built lighthouse in America since the 1800s. The Coast Guard once classified the red-and-white-striped shaft as a "lighted navigational beacon"; these days it's a tourist attraction. Climb it for $3.50 (free ages 5 and younger) to enjoy a view of Hilton Head Island ($5 vehicle fee, harbourtownlight house.com).
FORT MOULTRIE
Fort Moultrie, on Sullivans Island, was built during the Revolution to safeguard Charleston, S.C. During World War II, the Army and Navy had a submarine tower there to spot German U-boats that might try to mine Charleston Harbor. All ships entering or exiting the harbor had to be cleared by this defense post. These days, you can walk to the tower's 28-foot landing and get a beautiful view of the Atlantic, the harbor and Fort Sumter ($3 a person or $5 a family; nps.gov).
VIEWS AND VODKA
For a sublime up-high sunset view of Charleston Harbor, head for the Vendue Inn. The view from the upscale hotel's top-level bar-restaurant encompasses Fort Sumter, church steeples and more. Best drink for watching the sunset? Manager Taylor Grand suggests the Carolina Peach (locally distilled Firefly Sweet Tea vodka), schnapps plus cranberry and orange juice (843-577-7970, vendueinn.com).
FROM THE TOP
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens has been open for touring since 1870. There's the mansion, the grounds, the famous gardens, a nature train, a boat tour and an observation tower built in the 1980s. With the basic $15 admission, just walk through the gardens to the tower, currently closed for maintenance but scheduled to reopen by summer. You can't see the coast from its top -- Charleston is 12 miles downstream -- but you can enjoy views of the Lowcountry marshland and the Ashley River (magnoliaplantation.com).
