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Charleston is one of America’s most fascinating colonial cities and one of the best destinations to experience classic Southern charm and hospitality. It has a huge array of historic sites and beautiful heritage buildings. Plus, the wider region of Charleston County is home to some of South Carolina’s best beaches and natural environments. Here are 20 of the best things to do and see in this captivating city.
1. Take a Walking Tour of Historic Charleston
Downtown Charleston is highly walkable and packed with many of the city’s must-see attractions. The best way to get the lay of the land is to take a walking tour.
The Charleston Self-Guided History Tour is a fantastic route to learn about the city’s history, and it covers many important sites including the City Market, Rainbow Row, White Point Gardens, and the Old Slave Market.
If you’d prefer to get insights from expert local tour guides, book a tour with The Two Sisters who are 7th-generation Charlestonians with vast knowledge of the city’s history, myths, and legends.
2. See Charleston’s Landmarks via Horse-Drawn Carriage
A fun way to do sightseeing in historic Charleston is by taking a horse-drawn carriage tour. Join a group tour of the residential district to see the city’s finest antebellum mansions, houses, gardens, and churches. Couples could consider taking a private carriage tour to enjoy a romantic evening in this beautiful city, but be sure to book in advance to secure a carriage.
3. Cycle Across Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge spans 2.7 miles across the Cooper River to connect downtown Charleston with Mount Pleasant. It’s a beloved landmark thanks to its striking cable-stay design and is an impressive feat of engineering.
Wonders Way is the bridge’s bicycle-pedestrian path, and it offers a scenic ride with excellent views over Charleston Harbor. Rent a bike and start from East Bay Street in Downtown and finish your ride at Patriots Point Road in Mount Pleasant.
4. Cruise Through Charleston Harbor
The peaceful waters of Charleston Harbor offer fantastic views of the Holy City and its four historic forts: Moultrie, Sumter, Johnson, and Castle Pinckney. Take the Schooner Pride Sunset Sail to enjoy a serene sailboat ride as the sun goes down and casts the harbor in a gorgeous golden glow.
For a livelier experience, book a Blues & BBQ Cruise on the Charleston Princess to enjoy drinks, music, and delicious Southern fare as you take in the sights.
5. Shop for Artisinal Goods at Charleston City Market
Charleston City Market was first established in the 1790s, making it one of America’s oldest public markets. Hundreds of local artisans sell their wares here, and you’ll find everything from freshly baked biscuits to handmade jewelry.
Be sure to check out the resident Gullah artists who weave sweetgrass baskets from Lowcountry marsh rushes using traditional techniques that originated in Africa.
6. Explore Haunted Locations on a Ghost Tour
Charleston is considered one of the most haunted places in America due to its long and tragic history of wars and natural disasters. Many 18th and 19th-century graveyards are said to be haunted, and several of the city’s historic buildings, including Provost Dungeon and the USS Yorktown retired aircraft carrier, have high levels of supernatural activity.
The most famous haunted location in the city is the Old City Jail, which housed some of Charleston’s most dangerous criminals in the 1800s. There are lots of different ghost tours to choose from that are led by local guides with expert knowledge of the city’s purported spirits.
7. Check out Charleston’s Art Scene
Charleston’s long, vibrant, and dark history has inspired its residents to produce fantastic artworks over the years. Head to Gibbes Museum of Art to see a huge variety of work from local and national artists that spans from early colonial times right up to the 21st century. The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art is where emerging and overlooked artists are celebrated, and it has a theater where live shows regularly take place.
8. Take a Kayak Expedition in Shem Creek
Shem Creek is a vibrant waterfront area in Mount Pleasant where chic bars and restaurants are surrounded by scenic marshland. You can explore the waterways via kayak either with a local guide or by yourself. Paddleboard rentals are also available, or you could take a boat tour to learn more about the dolphins, oysters, and hermit crabs that live in the waters here.
9. Tour Charleston’s Historic Homes
Charleston has some of the best examples of colonial and antebellum architecture in the country. The properties feature classic design details such as wrought iron gates, intricate woodwork, and elaborate brickwork. Be sure to check out Rainbow Row which is an iconic row of 13 pastel-colored houses on East Bay Street. Other notable historic homes and mansions to explore include:
- Aiken-Rhett House Museum
- The Southern mansions on The Battery
- The McLeod Plantation
- The Heyward-Washington House
- Joseph Manigault House at Charleston Museum
- Nathaniel Russell House
- The Williams Mansion (formerly known as the Calhoun Mansion)
10. Enjoy a Picnic in Riley Waterfront Park
Riley Waterfront Park overlooks Cooper River and Charleston Harbor and is one of the best places in the city to unwind and enjoy a picnic. The park offers 10 acres of green space and is lined with trees and benches so you can relax in the shade. Don’t miss the iconic Pineapple Fountain, and be sure to stroll along the seaside-style pier that juts into Cooper River for fantastic views.
11. Walk Through Beautiful Gardens at the Magnolia Plantation
Situated in the scenic neighborhood of West Ashley, the Magnolia Plantation is a beautiful property that provides fascinating insights into Carolina’s antebellum period. The biggest highlight is the impressive gardens, which have been carefully curated to ensure that plants are in bloom during every season.
The plantation also boasts 400 acres of protected wetlands where you can look out for alligators, turtles, herons, waterfowl, otters, snakes, bobcats, hawks, and more.
12. Discover Gullah Culture at Boone Hall
Boone Hall is one of the oldest working plantations in America, having been established by an English Major in 1681. It’s the only Lowcountry plantation to offer an educational presentation about the Gullah culture, which originated in this region when enslaved people blended their African heritage with new influences from the South.
The Gullah presentation of Boone Hall features song, dance, and storytelling and is an incredibly moving experience.
13. Visit Fort Sumter by Ferry
Fort Sumter is where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, and despite sustaining great damage its ruins have been incredibly well preserved. You can stroll around the grounds and witness the fort’s historic wayside markers and cannons.
The only way to reach Fort Sumter is by ferry from either Liberty Square in Downtown Charleston or Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. Ferry tours give fascinating insights into the Fort’s history and the Civil War.
14. Relax on South Carolina’s Best Beaches
There are several beaches in the Charleston area, but one of the best is at Folly Beach which is a charming seaside down with a laid-back atmosphere. Folly is popular with surfers thanks to the huge Atlantic waves that roll in, but you can also try your hand at fishing and kayaking.
For a quieter pace, head to Sullivan’s Island Beach, which lies at the mouth of Charleston Harbor. It has quaint little cottages, lots of nature trails to explore, and a wide expanse of sand with gentle waves that are perfect for swimming.
15. Play Golf on Kiawah Island
Kiawah Island is a peaceful barrier island with natural space that is extremely well preserved. It has swathes of unspoiled beaches, dunes, maritime forests, and marshes which are home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, alligators, and sea turtles. Kiawah also has fantastic golf courses with incredible ocean views. The Ocean Course, which has hosted both the Ryder Cup and the PGA Championships, is considered the best.
16. Soak Up the Atmosphere of Historic King Street
King Street is the very heart of Charleston’s historic district and is one of the best places to experience the city’s shopping and dining scenes.
Shop for quirky furniture and oddities in the Lower King Street Antiques District, browse chic clothing boutiques in the Middle King Street Fashion District and check out cool art galleries, trendy bars, and delicious eateries in the Upper King Street Design and Dining District. The nightlife here is fantastic so be sure to stick around after the sun goes down.
17. Experience Southern Hospitality on a Food Tour
Avid foodies can taste the best of Charleston’s cuisine when they join a culinary tour. Take a French Quarter food tour to sample Lowcountry favorites like she-crab soup while wandering the cobblestone streets of this oldest region of historic Downtown. If you’re visiting Charleston in early March, look out for the Charleston Wine + Food Festival where you can sample produce, dishes, and wines from the region’s best businesses.
18. Learn About Charleston’s History at Middleton Place
Middleton Place provides valuable insights into the experiences of enslaved Africans and African Americans. It is also home to the oldest landscaped gardens in America, and its stables house heritage-breed livestock.
You’ll also get the chance to see demonstrations from the resident potter, blacksmith, and textile workers. There’s much to learn about the history of both Charleston and America when you visit this vast plantation.
19. Go Surfing on the Isle of Palms
The Isle of Palms is a small barrier island that stretches just seven miles long and one mile wide. It has pristine white sand beaches with beautifully clean waters. Although the waves here don’t reach the heights of Folly Beach, they’re lively enough to keep practiced surfers entertained and gentle enough for novices to learn the basics.
Board rentals are available from Island Surf Co which is just steps away from the beach.
20. Buy Local Produce at Johns Island Farmers Market
Johns Island is the largest barrier island in Southern California and is known for its exceptional natural beauty. Southern live oak trees thrive here, including the famed Angel Oak which is 65 feet tall, 25 feet in circumference, and between 300 and 400 years old.
If you’re planning to explore Johns Island, do it on a Saturday so you can swing by its popular Farmers Market where over 50 local farmers, vendors, and food trucks sell tasty local produce.
What Will You Get Up To When You Visit Charleston?
There’s no shortage of fun things to do in Charleston, no matter if you’re a foodie, a history buff, a culture vulture, or a beach bum. Which activities will you get up to on your trip to this bustling city?
