Edisto Island Serpentarium

One of our favorite field trip locations since we’ve started homeschooling is the Edisto Island Serpentarium. We have visited twice, once in the fall of 2019, and again fall of 2020.

It’s about an hour from our house, so we load up on audiobooks for the trip there. We bring our lunches to eat on the way home while we watch Leap Frog.

The Serpentarium has all the reptiles you’re looking for (and some you hope to NEVER see). We took this picture to send home to dad, who is not a huge fan of snakes. After paying inside at a counter in the gift shop, proceed into the indoor area that has a variety of snakes.

After you’ve checked out the indoor snakes, you’ll head outside. Here you can look down into several pits to see venomous and non-venomous snakes and turtles. Be aware: these enclosures do not have barriers above the short cement walls. If you’re bringing multiple children, you may want an extra pair of hands. The kids can stand up on a stool and lean over the wall to look down at the animals inside.

After checking out the pits of reptiles, you can proceed around to look at some tortoises in their own habitats, and then crocodiles and alligators.

If you’ve timed it right, you’ll be just in time for one of the programs. Check out alligator feedings, snake talks, and much more! The programs vary by day, so make sure you check their website for updated information so you don’t miss a program you were hoping to see.

There’s a picnic area in the parking lot. However, when we visited in 2019 the mosquitos were pretty unbearable there, so we had to retreat to the car with our lunch. I’d advise a backup plan if you hope to have lunch there!

This is a great quick day trip if you’re in the Charleston area. We plan to visit again soon! What’s your favorite place for homeschool field trips? I’d love to hear in the comments!

Check out some of our other favorite South Carolina field trips here.