This 175-acre swamp/garden offers a walk-through Butterfly House with free-flying butterflies, beautiful plants, birds and more. The Swamparium features fish, reptiles and amphibians native to the swamp and nearby waterways. Representative animals from swamps of the world are also displayed. The new Heritage Museum tells the history of this former rice plantation through interpretive text and displays of slave artifacts found onsite. Picnic shelters and a gift shop are other amenities at the park. The swamp/garden is easily accessible with 4 miles of walking paths and the famous bateaus (flat bottom boats). Once part of Dean Hall Plantation, the gardens are especially lovely in spring when the azaleas, dogwoods, wisteria and daffodils are in bloom. The swamp was prominently featured in the year 2000 motion picture "The Patriot" starring Mel Gibson.