Hobcaw Barony is a nature reserve spread across 16,000 acres and that is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna inhabiting a variety of ecosystems. The Discovery Center is an excellent resource for the natural and cultural history of the area.

Chester Zoo is home to over 21,000 endangered and exotic animals based in beautiful, award-winning gardens and is the nearest large zoo to Manchester. With over 500 different animal species in their 125 acres, visitors are sure to have an adventure discovering and learning about the amazing wildlife. Conservation and education are at the heart of everything at Chester Zoo. They are committed to providing the highest standards of care for their animals as well as protecting native and international wildlife. Their team of expert and knowledgeable staff work hard to prevent extinction and are passionate about connecting visitors to the natural world. Chester Zoo has a variety of tours and hands-on experiences, as well as daily animal talks to guarantee a day full of animal adventure. Stop for a snack at one of their many restaurants, cafes, and kiosks, including their recently refurbished contemporary British pub, The Oakfield. It's a huge zoo, but there are plenty of options for getting around, including the Zoofari Monorail and the Lazy River Boat Trip on the Islands. Don’t forget to stop in at the gift shop on your way out for a souvenir of your trip.

If you visit Murrells Inlet during the summer months, you can catch a ride on one of Blue Wave's vessels out to the open water to get a close-up view of majestic dolphins. The crew are experts at spotting these aquatic mammals and tracking them without disturbing them.