Summer solstice great time to enjoy area

The summer solstice was a significant event in ancient times. It was the day of the year when the sun would shine the longest, and a time to give thanks and celebrate life.

These days, we tend to spend our days in climate-controlled environments regardless of the season. However, the summer solstice falls on a Saturday this year, so it's a perfect day to gather the family, pack up some water bottles and sunscreen and head out to enjoy all that the Lowcountry has to offer.

Here are 10 things to "Get Out" and do on the longest day of the year, with Web sites (where applicable) for finding out more information.

1 Head out for a walk along the water, uniquely Charleston style. We've got waterfront views you can't find anywhere else. Try the Waterfront Park or The Battery downtown. Head out to the end of Folly Beach and walk out to see spectacular views of the Morris Island lighthouse. Or take a stroll out onto the old Pitt Street bridge in Mount Pleasant's Old Village.

2 Hit the museums. Downtown Charleston's Museum Mile takes visitors on a walking tour to six museums, including the Charleston Museum and the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry, as well as historically significant houses, churches and parks (see the Charleston Area Convention & Visitor Bureau's Web site, www.charleston cvb.com). Or in the North Area, check out the North Charleston and American LaFrance Fire Museum (www.legacyofheroes.org).

3 Dine al fresco. Take a picnic to a local park or enjoy waterfront views and seafood at Shem Creek — or cap off the Museum Mile (see No. 2 above) with a walk down to the Market to treat yourself to some ice cream.

4 See the Hunley. You've probably been meaning to do this ever since the Confederate submarine was raised eight years ago — and if you went to see it years ago, it's time to visit again. Tour the facility that houses the Civil War sub, view artifacts and films, and view the Hunley in its 90,000-gallon storage tank (www.hunley org).

5 See Charles Towne Landing. Why spend $4 a gallon to go to zoos in other cities when we've got a great one right here? See the otters, bears and other animals that settlers to the area would have seen in the 17th century. Take a walk through the gardens, and catch a cool musket-firing demonstration (www.charlestowne.org).

6 Cypress Gardens. The 80 acres of open swamp in Moncks Corner feature glass-bottomed boat tours, walking trails through the swamp, a butterfly house, aquarium and reptile house, and alligator and crocodile viewing (www.cypressgardens.info).

7 Bee City. This attraction out on S.C. Highway 61 has a glass observation hive. In addition to the bees, there's a petting zoo featuring llamas, monkeys, deer and more, a cafe that serves fresh local food and a gift shop with homemade honey soaps, candles and more. It's a great day trip from Charleston (www.beecity.net).

8 Look into fun, alternative transportation for the day. Take a short and surprisingly reasonably priced sightseeing airplane tour over Charleston (www.flyinghighovercharleston.com). Hop on a carriage tour, take a walking tour or ghost tour, or charter a fishing or sightseeing boat (the CVB has a long list of tour types and operators at http://tiny url.com/3g6j8w). Rent a convertible and head over the Ravenel Bridge, or rent bikes at a county park.

9 Find your own food. Head out to the Charleston Farmers Market at Marion Square in the morning and treat yourself to fresh, safe local produce. This is a great time of year to pick your own blueberries. Check out www.pickyourown.org to find local farms. Go crabbing. Buy or borrow a crab trap, or try your hand at catching the critters the old-fashioned way, with a string, a sinker and a chicken neck. Ask a water-savvy friend or a seafood vendor for pointers on where and what time of day to go.

10 Cap off the day with some live music and support the local creative scene. There's lots to choose from, everything from coffeehouse jazz to an Elvis impersonator and the Reggae Fest at James Island County Park. Check out today's Preview section or www.charleston.net/preview for a calendar full of choices).