100 Things to Do in Charleston SC

100 Best Things to Do in Charleston, SC

In Community, Moving to Charleston, Things to Do by Mark Garrison

Table of Contents

51. Cannon Park

Cannon Park is is a 2.7 acre park in downtown Charleston, located at 131 Rutledge Ave.  The park is located near the Medical University of South Carolna, and is a popular spot for dog owners.  The columns at the park are all that remain of the old Charleston Museum following a fire in 1981.  

52.  North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center

View Events at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center

The North Charleston Colliseum has 13,000 seats, and is used for many purposes.  It opened in 1993, and hosts the South Carolina Stingray hockey team. 

The North Charleston Performing Arts Center is a 2300 seat proscenium theater.  The center opened in 1999, and hosts a variety of events, including: concerts, stand-up comedy, family shows, ballets, symphonies, and more. 

53. Charleston Music Hall

The Charleston Music Hall is a 19th century Gothic Revival Building located at 37 John Street in Charleston.  The music hall hosts theater, comedy shows, dance, concerts, and more.  Visit the website to find an event to attend!

54. Caw Caw Interpretive Center

The Caw Caw Interpretive Center is set on a historic rice plantation at 5200 Savannah Hwy in Ravenel, SC.    The Interpretive Center is a great location to view wildlife, and has miles of trails, elevated boardwalks, and interpetive exhibits.  Visiting the Caw Caw Interpretive Center is an inexpensive are to visit with the family!

55. Oyster Roast

  • Location: Various
  • Cost: Varies

The fall and winter are considered Oyster season in Charleston, and if you are in the area during that time, you should attend an Oyster Roast!  Check for Oyster Roast Events in the area, and enjoy some of the local seafood!  If you would like to try some oysters at a restaurant, I recommend Bowens Island Restaurant!

 

56. McLeod Plantation

Visit the McLeod Plantation on James Island, located at 325 Country Club Drive.  The Plantation was established in 1851, and is currently a 37 acre preserved heritage site.  Visit McLeod plantation, and see this historically significant site that has been carefully preserved.  

57. Pickett Park and the Old Pitt Street Bridge

Pickett Park and the Old Pitt Street Bridge is a beautiful and unique place to take a walk with your family or pets!  There was a wooden bridge in this location, built in 1898, allowing access to Sullivan’s Island from Mount Pleasant.  The Pitt Street bridge closed in 1945, when the Ben Sawyer bridge opened.  Now, only part of the bridge remains.  It is located next to Pickett Park, and is a great location to visit.  I have also heard that this is a good place to fish/crab, but I have yet to confirm this.  

Old Pitt Street Bridge- Mt. Pleasant
Old Pitt Street Bridge

58. Charleston Battery Soccer Game

The Charleston Battery is a professional soccer club, and a member of the USL Championship.  The team was founded in 1993.   The Charleston Battery play at MUSC Health Stadium on Daniel Island; Go to the Team’s Website to view their schedule, and attend a soccer game if you can!

59.  Frankie’s Fun Park in North Charleston

Located in North Charleston at 5000 Ashley Posphate Rd., Frankie’s Fun Park is a popular location to bring the family! The Park offers Mini Golf, an arcade, go-carts, a batting cage, and more!  Frankie’s Fun Park also has Virtual Reality Gaming, and it serves food in case you get hungry.

60.  Palmetto Islands County Park

Palmetto Islands County Park in Mount Pleasant is a 943 acre park.  This is a great location to go on a walk with your family and/or pets.   Palmetto Islands County Park offers  a sand volley ball court, horse shoe pitts, a kayak launch, dog park, a Big Toy Playground, bike and pedal boat rentals, plenty of nature trails, paved trails for biking, a fishing/crabbing dock, and a waterpark!

61.  Go Metal Detecting

  • Location: Multiple Locations
  • Cost: Free

The sand beaches near Charleston offer a great area to metal detect.  Digging up loose sand in search for treasure is so much easier than rocks/dirt, mud, etc, and the beach offers a location where people are likely to lose items (if you find something valuable, please attempt to locate the owner).  South Carolina also offers the potential to dig up artifacts from the Civil War era and other historic artifacts.  Keep in mind that there are some restrictions to where you can metal detect, and I will leave it up to you to do your own research on those restrictions since they can change at anytime.  At the time I wrote this article, there were still plenty of beaches that allowed metal detecting; they just required that you refill the holes that you dig, and you should always remove any trash that you find.  

62.  Aiken-Rhett House Museum

Another Historic Home in downtown Charleston, the Aiken-Rhett House is located at 48 Elizabeth St.. The House Museum was built in 1820, and became the property of William Aiken Sr. in 1827.  The home was renovated in 1833 by the young William Aiken, and turned it was turned into an amazing residence!  Visit this great place in downtown Charleston!

63.  Go Shrimping

  • Location:  Multiple Locations

I am not originally from Charleston, and I had never been shrimping before moving here (or crabbing….or saltwater fishing).  I saw a guy throwing a shrimping net, and catching a lot of shrimp one day on the James Island County Park fishing dock, and decided that I need to do that very soon.  I still have not been shrimping, but I still recommend doing it if you get a chance.  Make sure you check State regulations before you go.  

64. Fishing Charter

  • Location: Multiple Locations
  • Cost: Varies

First of all, I would like to say that fishing near Charleston is amazing.  I grew up in Montana, which is a beautiful state with great fishing, but does not have salt-water fishing.  Charleston is surrounded by waterways that can be fished, and there are multiple charter fishing companies that you can use.  

65.  Take a walking Pirate Tour

Take a Pirate tour and discover stories of Blackbeard and his blockade of the Charleston Harbor, and much more!  Here are a few links to some pirate tours near Charleston, SC:

66.  Visit Movie Scene Locations near Charleston

 

Some very popular movies have been filmed near Charleston, including “The Notebook” and “The Patriot“.

The Notebook had many scenes filmed near Charleston, including scenes at:  Boone Hall Plantation (The Hamilton Family Summer House), Cypress Gardens (The Boat Scene with the Swans), College of Charleston, High Cotton in downtown Charleston, The American Theater (446 King Street), Matins Point Plantation on Wadmalaw Island (The home that Noah renovated; private residence, please do not attempt to view),  and the Calhoun Mansion (16 Meeting St., scenes shot for the interior of the Hamilton Summer home).  

Many scenes of “The Patriot”  were also shot in Charleston.  When Mel Gibson’s character drops his kids off at their Aunt’s house, this home was shot at 69 Meeting Street, aka the Poyas-Mordecai House.  There were also scenes filmed at the Mansfield Plantation, Randolph Hall at the College of Charleston, Middleton Place, and Cypress Gardens.  

67.  Lavinia Fisher’s Boarding House/ Escape Room

Do an escape room at Traveler Escape Games at 579-B King Street, in Downtown Charleston.  Lavinia Fisher may have been the first female serial killer in the United States, and was a prisoner in the old Charleston Jail until her execution.   I have not personally done one of these escape rooms yet, but a friend of mine said he had a great time while he was there!

68.  Dock Street Theater

The Dock Street Theater is located in the historic French Quarter of downtown Charleston.  This is the location of the 1st theater in America built in 1736.  A hotel would be built in this location in 1809.  The “New Dock Street Theater” was built in the 1930’s, and was made to look like the original theater built in the 18th century.  

69. The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art

Visit the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art (HICA) at the College of Charleston located at 161 Calhoun Street.  Attend an Art Exhibition at this art institute!  The institute is a non-collecting temporary art institute for the Charleston of College.    

70.  Charleston Tea Plantation

The Charleston Tea Plantation is located at 6617 Maybank Hwy. on Wadmalaw Island, and is the only Tea Plantation in North America!  The Plantation offers a tour of the Tea Factory, a trolley tour, and an art greenhouse.  There is also a gift shop here for souvenirs! 

71. Washington Square

Washington Square is a Park in downtown Charleston, located at 80 Broad Street.  The Park has several monuments, including a statue of George Washington and a monument for General Pierre Beauregard.  This small park is worth visiting if you’re in the area!

72.  St. Philips Church

St. Philips is a historic church built in 1836, located at 142 Church Street.  It is a stuccoed brick church, that features a very tall tower and has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.  St. Philips Church also has a cemetery with multiple notable burials, including: John C. Calhoun, Charles Pinckney, Edward Rutledge, Judith DuBose, Christopher Gadsden, and Judith Smith Ladson.

73.  Search for Shark Teeth

  • Multiple Locations
  • Cost: Free

Disclaimer:  I have never found a shark tooth while on the beaches near Charleston.  However, I have multiple friends and co-workers that claim they find shark teeth all of the time; they say you just need to know what you’re looking for.  Walk the beaches around Charleston and find a shark tooth!  You may even find a tooth from the extinct Megaladon in the area!

74.  Go Golfing!

  • Multiple Locations
  • Cost: Varies

There are many great Golf Courses near Charleston, SC, including the Country Club of Charleston that hosted the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open, and Kiawah Island, which will host the 2021 PGA Championship!  

There is no shortage of great golf courses in the area!  It is usually too hot here for me to golf in July in August (sometimes June and September as well), but the other months are great!  Click Here to view some of the golf courses near Charleston!

Homes for sale on a golf course near Charleston

75. Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse

The Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse was finished in 1962, and is a landmark worth viewing if you’re in the area.  If you are going to only view 1 lighthouse near Charleston, I would recommend you view the Morris Island Lighthouse before you view this one.

76.  Joseph Manigault House

The Joseph Manigault House  was built in 1803 is a House museum located at 350 Meeting Street, and is operated by the Charleston Museum.  The Manigaults prospered as rice planters in this area, and their former home is amazing!  The Charleston Museum purchased the home in 1933.

77.  Attend a Stingrays Hockey Game

Go watch a hockey game at the North Charleston Coliseum!  The South Carolina Stingrays are a minor league ice hockey team in North Charleston.  The South Carolina Stingrays were established in 1993, and won the Kelly Cup Championship in 1997, 2001, and 2009.  

78. Edisto Beach

If you have already visited all of the beaches near Charleston, and want to visit a nice beach a little father away, you should visit the town of Edisto Beach!  The town is about a 1 hour and 15 minute drive from downtown Charleston (depending on traffic), and has a great State Park that you can visit, and go camping!

79. Volvo Car Stadium

The Volvo Car Stadium on Daniel Island is the location of the world’s largest women-only tennis tournament,  Volvo Car Open, and also hosts some concerts and other events.  

80. Confederate Museum

The Confederate Museum is located at 188 Meeting Street in Downtown Charleston, next to the City Market. Visit this museum to see a large collection of relics from the Civil War!  The Confederate Museum opened in this location 1899.

81. Mount Pleasant Pier & Waterfront Park

The Mount Pleasant Pier is part of the Memorial Waterfront Park Complex, and is a 1250 foot long pier with a pavilion, bench swings, and a cafe/gift shop.  The pier offers a good view of the Charleston Harbor, a popular place for fishing/crabbing, and is a good place to watch for dolphins.  It is offers a great view of the Arthur Ravenel Bridge from Mount Pleasant.  

Mount Pleasant, SC Pier and waterfront park

82.  Search for Seashells

  • Multiple Locations
  • Cost: Free

You can search for seashells on the beaches near Charleston!  Try to go at low tide to giver yourself the best chance at finding some nice seashells!  Botanay Bay is a great place to view shells, but seashell collection is prohibited at that location.  I have found a lot of nice seashells at Kiawah Beachwalker Park!  Make sure there is nothing living in the shell!

83. Go Bird Watching

  • Multiple Locations
  • Cost: Free

There are a lot of birds flying around near Charleston that I had never seen before moving here.  The beaches are a good place to view birds flying by, and the County Parks are a great place to go as well.  The Caw Caw County Park is known to be a good location to “go birding, and has over 250 species of birds that have been seen there.  

84. Drayton Hall

Drayton Hall is located at 3380 Ashley River Road, and is an 18th century plantation located on the Ashley River.  Drayton Hall (founded in 1737) is the oldest preserved plantation house in America Still open to the Public.  Drayton Hall is the earliest example of Palladian architecture in the U.S. 

85.  Spot an Alligator

  • Multiple Locations
  • Cost: Free

Before I moved to this area, I had never seen a wild alligator before;  now I see them all of the time.  It is common to see an alligator in the community ponds all around Charleston.  Be careful if you are trying to spot an alligator.  Don’t get too close to the water, and don’t walk your pets next to the water; alligators have been known to attack pets, and people in rare occasions.  Don’t feed the alligators, and it is illegal to harass  or try to catch alligators.  

Alligator in Charleston, SC

86. Heyward-Washington House

The Heyward-Washington House was built in 1772, and was the town home of Thomas Heyward Jr. (signer of the Declaration of Independents).  The Georgian-style double house is located at 87 Church St. in downtown Charleston.  George Washington used this house during his 1 week stay in Charleston in 1791, and they house has been traditionally called the Heward-Washington House.  This is a great piece of history to visit!

 

87.  View a Sunset

  • Multiple Locations
  • Cost: Free

The sunsets around Charleston are beautiful, and you will not have a hard time finding a good location for this!  Sullivan’s Island Beach,  Folly Beach, and Kiawah Beachwalker Park are good locations to view a good sunset, along with many other locations! 

Sunset in Charleston, SC

88.  Visit Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion

These lakes are a bit of a drive from Charleston, but if you have some time to kill or would like to do some fishing/camping, visit these lakes.  Lake Moultrie a lake that is over 60,000 acre near the town of Moncks Corner, and Lake Marion near Santee, and is the largest lake in South Carolina and covers over 100,000 acres.  

Free things to do Near Charleston SC
Lake Moultrie

89.  Go Camping

Looking for some good locations to go camping with the Family?  The area surrounding Charleston has great places to go fishing, camping, and crabbing!  Here are a few places to consider:

 

90. Visit Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve, and Beach

Botany Bay is located approximately 45 miles away from Charleston on Edisto Island, but if you get a chance, it is worth the drive.  This location is a Wildlife Management Area, has some historic homes and plantation homes that can be viewed.  The beach has multiple dead trees and sea shells (seashell collecting is prohibited), making it a unique beach to visit.  

Free things to do Charleston SC
Botany Bay- Edisto Island

91. Williams Mansion, Formerly known as the “Calhoun Mansion”

Built in 1876 for it’s owner, George Walton Williams, the former Calhoun Mansion is located on Meeting Street in downtown Charleston.  This 24,000 square foot structure has 35 rooms, a 75 foot domed ceiling, amazing antique pieces throughout the home.  Also, few scenes from the movie “The Notebook” were shot in this home.  The home is a private residence, but is open to the public for daily viewing tours.  

92.  Watch for Dolphins

  • Multiple Locations
  • Cost: Free

Charleston is a great location for dolphin watching.  There are many public locations that you can watch for dolphins on the Charleston Peninsula, on the Beaches, and in surrounding areas around Charleston.  Here are a few public locations to watch for dolphins:

  • Charleston Harbor
  • Waterfront Park Pier
  • Kiawah Beachwalker Park
  • Sullivan’s Island
  • Folly Beach
  • Mount Pleasant Pier

93.  Go Fishing

  • Multiple Locations
  • Cost: Approximately $5+

Charleston is a good place to fish, and is relatively affordable for out-of-state people who would like to fish here.  There are many locations for freshwater or Saltwater fishing. Make sure you check the regulations from the  South Carolina DNR website for regulations and prices before you fish.  The Folly Beach Pier and the Mt. Pleasant pier are great places to saltwater fish, and you can purchase a single day pass to fish while you are at these locations.

 

94. City Gallery (Art) at Waterfront Park

Visit the City Gallery at Waterfront Park.  The gallery is owned by the CIty of Charleston, and exhibits a variety of art.  It is free to enter this Art Gallery, so stop by and take a look!

95.  Hampton Park

Hampton park is the largest park on the Charleston Peninsula (60 acres), located at 30 Muray Murray Dr. in Charleston.  This is a gorgeous park with a variety of flowers, plants, and trees, trails, and it is a popular place to go for students from the Citadel, which borders the park.  

96. Edmondston-Alston House

The Edmondston-Alston House is located on the Charleston Battery, and is now a museum.  It was built in 1825, and this was the home that General P.G.T. Beauregard watched from while the attack on Fort Sumter began.  General Robert E. Lee also took refuge at this house in 1861.  Take a Guided Tour of this home, and view a piece of history!

97. South Carolina National Bank of Charleston

The South Carolina National Bank of Charleston is located at 16 Broad Street in Downtown Charleston, and opened in 1817 as the Office of Discount and Deposit of the Second Bank of the United States.  

98. French Huguenot Church

The French Huguenot Church is a Gothic Revival Church, and is located in downtown Charleston at 136 Church Street.  Many French Huguenots fled religious persecution in the later half of the 17th Century, and some of them settled in Charleston. The Church was built in 1884, and is the oldest Gothic Revival Church in South Carolina.  

99.  Wannamaker County Park

Wannamaker county park is a great place to bring the family and pets!  It offers Boat Rentals, Bike Rentals, a Water Park, a Dog Park, volley ball, picnic and grilling areas, walking trails, and more.  

100. South Carolina Historical Society Museum

  • Location: 100 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401
  • http://www.schistory.org/
  • Cost: Adults $12, Children (5-12) $5 (as of 5/2021)

The South Carolina Historical Society Museum is located on 100 Meeting Street in Downtown Charleston.  The Museum is located in a building that is a Historic Landmark, and features interactive exhibits about the history of South Carolina and the Nation.  

Conclusion

If you made it this far, thank you for reading my list of unique things to do in Charleston! If you are considering moving to the area, make sure to read my 10 pros and cons of living in Charleston. If you like this post, please share it! If you have any recommendations for Free things to do, Things to Do with Kids, Family Friendly things to do, Things to do in SC with Kids, Kid Friendly things to do, or other things to do in Charleston, please contact me! If you are a business owner, and would like to be added to one of the categories above, please let me know. If you have any questions about buying/selling/renting a home in the Charleston area, Contact me and I will be happy to help!

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