23 Unique Things to Do in Charleston, SC

In Moving to Charleston, Things to Do by Mark Garrison

100 Things to Do
Living in Charleston Pros and Cons
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Are you planning a vacation to Charleston, South Carolina, and looking for things to do while you are here? Charleston, is one of the nicest cities to visit in the Country, and is often referred to as a “living museum”. Charleston has an amazing history, great food, Southern Charm, miles of beaches, and there is always something to do here. In this video, I am going to go over the best things to do in Charleston, but first, if you like this video, please click the like and subscribe buttons below, as I will be making new videos about Charleston in the future.

Here are 23 Unique Things to Do in Charleston, SC

The Battery

One of the most popular locations for tourist and locals in Charleston is the Charleston Battery. Located At the tip of the Charleston Peninsula, you will find the Battery and White Point Garden. You can Take a walk along Battery and defensive seawall, and get a great view of Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter, and the historic mansions located here.

You can also tour the Edmonston Alston House museum along the battery, which is the home where Confederate General Beauregard watched the attack on Fort Sumter.

Rainbow Row

One of Charleston’s most famous areas, and most photographed sites, is at Rainbow Row on East Bay Street. This location is named due to the 13 colorful historic homes that are painted in pastel colors, dating back to the 1700s. If you’re visiting Charleston, make sure to stop by Rainbow Row.

Charleston City Market

Charleston City Market The Charleston City Market, is one of the oldest public markets in the United States, and is open everyday of the year, except for Christmas. The market stretches for 4 city blocks in Downtown Charleston.

The City Market is a great place to visit to look for souvenirs from Charleston, including beautiful and historic handcrafted sweetgrass baskets. This craft originated in Africa, and has been passed down through generations.

Pineapple Fountain

Visit waterfront park in Downtown Charleston, where you will the iconic Pineapple fountain.

During Colonial times, Pineapples were very rare expensive, and became the ultimate symbol of hospitality if you were able to obtain one for your guests. When you visit Charleston, make sure to look for pineapple decorations throughout the city. Waterfront Park also has a pier where you can take a water taxi, and a fountain that kids enjoy playing in during the hot Summer months.

Angel Oak Tree

The Angel Oak Tree on John’s Island and is a must-see if you’re in the area! The tree is estimated to be approximately 400-500 years old, but some people believe it is much older than that. It is amazing how far the branches of this tree extend, the longest being about 187 feet.

U.S.S. Yorktown

The USS Yorktown is a great location to visit for history Buffs! The Yorktown is an aircraft carrier that was used during World War 2, and was named after the aircraft carrier that was sunk at the Battle of Midway in 1942. The USS Yorktown was also used used during the Vietnam war, and was decommissioned in 1970.

The Yorktown can be viewed at Patriots Point naval and Maritime Museum, along with a Destroyer and submarine, the Vietnam Experience Exhibit, Cold War Memorial, the Medal of Honor Museum, and a variety of military aircraft from different eras.

Patriots Point Mount Pleasant

Take a Tour of Charleston

Charleston has such a vast history that I definitely recommend that you take at least 1 tour while you’re here. You can take a horse carriage tour in Downtown Charleston, that are about an hour long, and are a great way to get to know the City a little better!

You can also take a historic walking tour, a food tour, a ghost tour, or take a Pirate tour and discover stories of Blackbeard and his blockade of the Charleston Harbor, and much more! I will link to some of the most popular Charleston tours below.

Things to do in Charleston South Carolina

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:

Fort Sumter

You can visit the location of the first shots of the Civil War, located in Charleston Harbor at Fort Sumter! This Fort took significant damage during the Civil War, but you can take a tour of the fort, and see what is left.

There are two departure points for Fort Sumter, one at Liberty Square next to the aquarium in Downtown Charleston, and the other at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. There is a museum located at the fort, and You will be able to see the original Union flag that was taken down after the battle, when the Confederacy took control of the fort.

Go to the Beach!

There are no beaches on the Charleston Peninsula, but Charleston is surrounded by barrier islands, and there are some of the nicest beaches in the nation nearby. To the South, you can visit Folly Beach, Kiawah, or Edisto Beach, and to the North, you can go to Sullivan’s Island, or Isle of Palms.

If you’d like to know more about these beaches, be sure to watch by video about the 5 best beaches in Charleston, which I will link to below. If you’re looking for a place to go surfing, go camping, fishing, a place to watch for dolphins, a place to search for shark teeth, or a place to bring your family, there is a beach near Charleston for you!

Kiawah Beachwalker Park

If you are only going to visit one public beach while you are in the Charleston area, I would recommend Kiawah Beachwalker Park. 

Dr. Beach has ranked Kiawah as 1 of the top 10 Beaches in America, and if you visit Kiawah you will see why. The Park offers Showers, Bathrooms, a Picnic area, cooking grills, and a snack bar. Kiawah’s Beachwalker park is approximately 11 miles long, and is a great place to bring the family. If you walk about 1.5 miles to the South, there is a good location to watch for dolphins during low tide. There is a fee to enter the park; you may pay for 1 day, or purchase a Gold pass that will give you access for 1 year.

Pets: You are permitted to bring your dogs to Kiawah beachwalker Park year round, but there are some restrictions, including critical habitat areas where they are not allowed (Click Here for a pet restraint map). There are certain times/locations where a dog is permitted to run off-leash.

Folly Beach

Folly Beach is a popular tourist destination and offers a large pier (currently being reconstructed) where you can fish (for a fee.) The beach and city offer surfing, volley ball, many surf shops, restaurants, and shopping destinations.  If you are looking for a spot on he beach with less people than Folly Beach, you’ll can drive to the west side off the island, and enter Folly Beach County Park (there is a fee to enter the County park), or you can drive to the east side of the island and view the Morris Island Light House. There is no fee to enter Folly Beach, but there are some locations where you may need to pay for parking.

Pets: Dogs are not allowed on the Folly Beach Pier. Dogs are allowed on the beach year round, but are not allowed on the beach from 10am-6pm May 1st-Dec. 30th.

Sullivan’s Island

If you are in the Charleston area, you should definately visit the town of Sullivan’s Island, and the beach.  There are multiple locations to access the beach in Sullivan’s Island, but my favorite location is near Fort Moultrie, which played a part in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and World War II. The beach on Sullivan’s Island seems to attract less people than Folly Beach and Kiawah, and is a great location to visit for a relaxing day on the beach. There is no fee to enter the beach on Sullivan’s Island.

Pets: A Pet Permit is required (as of June 2019, Permits are $25 for residents of Sullivan’s Island, and $50 for all others) to bring your dog to the beach on Sullivan’s Island, which you can purchase at Town Hall. To get the permit, you will also need to provide proof of rabies vaccination (collar tag is not valid proof). Dogs Are Not allowed on the beach May 1st- October 31st from 10am-6pm, but are allowed on a leash from 6pm-5am during these dates. You may also let your dog run off-leash at certain times.

Sullivans Island Beach

Isle of Palms County Park

The Isle of Palms county park is another beach area that is accessible to the public.  This is a small park, but is a good place to visit if you are in the area.  The county park offers boardwalks, sand volleyball court, picnic area and grills, playground, beach chair and umbrella rentals, outdoor showers, and more.  

Isle of Palms is a barrier island near Charleston, neighboring Sullivan’s Island.. There is a fee to enter the county park; you may pay a 1 day fee, or buy a Gold Pass that will allow you access for 1 year.

Pets: Dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash at all times. Residents of Isle of Palms are required to purchase a $5 Pet Permit.

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!

Edisto Beach

Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve

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

Historic Plantations & Gardens

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

There are many great historic plantations and beautiful gardens to visit in the Charleston area, including Middleton Place, Magnolia Gardens, and Drayton Hall, all located along the Ashley River in West Ashley, McLeod Plantation on James Island, and Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant.

Try to visit the gardens during the spring if you can, so you can see the blooming flowers. If you’re willing to drive a little further out, I also recommend visiting Cypress Gardens in Moncks Corner, which was the location of some scenes from the movies “The Notebook”, and “The Patriot”. Cypress Gardens is a great location to take a swamp boat ride, and to see some alligators.

Boone Hall Plantation

Boone Hall Plantation

The Boone Hall Plantation is located in Mt. Pleasant, and is a great place to go for a historic tour.  The plantation has special events throughout the year, including:  The Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch, Boone Hall Fright Nights, Scottish Games and Highland Gathering, Christmas at Boone Hall Plantation, and much more!

Boone Hall Plantation has continually been growing crops for over 300 years, and is one of the oldest working Plantations in the United

Middleton Place Plantation

Middleton Place is a very unique place to visit, and is a must-see if you are visiting Charleston!  The historic preservation offers a house museum built in 1755, guided tours, a restaurant, and amazing landscaping.  Middleton Place is an American National Historic Landmark, and is a beautiful location to visit while in Charleston!

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

Another great location to visit is Magnolia Plantations and Gardens.  This Plantation was founded in 1676 by the Drayton Family, and has been open to the public since 1870.  Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is one of the oldest and most famous gardens in America, and is a great location to visit!

Cypress Gardens

Cypress gardens is a 170 acre preserve in Moncks Corner, SC.  Cypress gardens gardens is a must-see if you get a chance to make it out to Moncks Corner! There is a lot to see at Cypress Gardens, including alligators, Butterfly House, self-guided Boat Tours, and a “Swamparium”.

This location was used for filming a few scenes in the movies “The Notebook” and “The Patriot”.  This is the location from the Notebook where Allie and Noah took a boat ride, with Swans swimming around them (the swans were brought in by the studio, you want see swans here).  This location was recently re-opened to the public (it was closed due to damage from flooding), and is a great place to visit if you have a chance to get out to Moncks Corner.  

Cypress Gardens

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.  

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! 

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. 

Take a Boat Tour

The Charleston Peninsula is surrounded by water, and there are a lot of options for boat tours. I recommend taking a tour of Charleston Harbor on the Schooner Pride, which is an 84′ tall ship that is modeled after an 18th century vessel.

You can sail during the day, or you can take a wine tasting, or sunset sail. If you’d like to get out on Charleston Harbor at a very affordable price, you can Take a Water Taxi, that will cost you around $14 for an all day pass! The water taxis depart hourly from four location, including the Maritime Center and Waterfront Park in Downtown Charleston and Patriot’s Point and the Charleston Harbor Resort In Mount Pleasant.

Schooner Pride

The Schooner Pride is an 84′ tall ship that is modeled after an 18th century vessel, and you can buy tickets to the ship and sail Charleston Harbor.  You can sail Charleston Harbor on the Schooner pride during the day, or you can take a wine tasting, or sunset sail.  Each sail is 2 hours long, and the location to board the ship is next to the South Carolina Aquarium, at 360 Concord Street.  

Things to do in Charleston

The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon

The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon is one of the most historically significant buildings in Charleston, and is a must-see if you are in the area! The Exchange was built by the British and was finished in 1771, and is the location that South Carolina Ratified the United States Constitution. This building was Also used by the British as a place to keep Prisoners of War during the American Revolution.

French Quarter

If you’re in the Charleston area, visiting the French Quarter is a must! The French Quarter is located in downtown Charleston, and is the location of the original walled in city of Charleston. The French Quarter is home to many historic buildings, including: The Dock Street Theater, St. Philips Church, The French Huguenot Church, the Old Slave Mart Museum, Washington Square, and the Charleston City Market.

Things to do in Charleston- French Quarter

Morris Island Lighthouse

The Morris Island lighthouse was constructed in 1876, and can be viewed from the northern end of Folly Beach, at the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve. The preserve also has a nice beach area, and is a great place to view the lighthouse, and to spend the day on the beach. The Morris Island lighthouse was originally created on land, but now stands several hundred feet offshore due to erosion.

Folly Beach, SC

South Carolina Aquarium

The South Carolina Aquarium is located at Liberty square in Downtown Charleston, and is a great place to bring the family. The aquarium has a touch tank, and a variety of animals, including alligators, a bald eagle, fish, sharks, Sea turtles, and much more. The Aquarium also has a Sea Turtle Care center, that will provide treatment and rehabilitative care for stranded or injured turtles.

Historic Churches

Charleston is known as the “Holy City”, and if you visit the City, you will see Church Steeples everywhere. Charleston quickly became a symbol of religious freedom, and there are many historic churches that you can visit while you are here. Some of these churches include the Gothic Revival French Huguenot Church, built in 1884,

The St. Philips Church that was built in 1836, and Charleston oldest surviving Church, Saint Michael’s Church, where President George Washington once worshiped while visiting Charleston. You can also visit the historic graveyards and final resting places of some of our founding fathers, including Charles Pinckney and John C. Calhoun located at the St. Phillips Church Graveyard.

St. Michael's Church downtown Charleston

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.

St. Philips Church

Enjoy the Great Food in Charleston

Charleston is well known for it’s amazing food, and if you’re in the area, you wont need to go far to find a great restaurant. A few popular restaurants that you can try while you’re here are FIG, Husk, and Rodney Scott’s BBQ. If you’re looking for a unique place to try local seafood and oysters, I recommend Bowens Island restaurant located on James Island, or you can go to one of the many restaurants located along Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant.

If you’d like to try a variety of different foods in Charleston, there are a few different organizations that offer guided food tours that take around 2-3 hours, including Charleston Culinary Tours, and I will link to some of these tours below.

Bowens Island Restaurant James Isand

Hunley Museum

The Hunley was used by the Confederacy during the Civil War, and was the first submarine in history to sink an enemy ship. On February 17, 1864 the Hunley attacked and sank the USS Housatonic, but the Hunley did not return to shore after the attack.

The Hunley was finally located in 1995, and raised in 2000, and is now on display at the Hunley Museum. You can also view the gold coin that saved Hunley Captain George Dixon’s life at the Battle of Shiloh. Captain Dixon was shot at this Battle, but had this coin in his pocket, and it absorbed the impact of the shot.

Things to Do near Charleston- GarrisonCharleston.com

King Street

At more than 200 years old, King Street is one of the most historically significant locations in Charleston. King Street is one of the most famous shopping streets in the country, and is a popular location for tourist, college students, eating, night life, and more.

King Street is in the heart of downtown Charleston, you will see plenty of Charleston’s History if you take a long walk down this historic street! King Street has 3 different areas along the street, including; Upper King Street, also known as the Design and Dining District. Middle King Street, or the Fashion District, and Lower King Street, also known as the Antique District.

House Museums

Charleston has many house museums built in the 17 and 1800s that you can tour while you’re here, including: the Nathaniel Russel House, The Aiken-Rhett House, the Joseph Manigault House, the Edmonston Alston House along the Battery, and the Heyward Washington House.

You can also view the Williams Mansion, formerly known as the Calhoun Mansion, and at around 24,000 square feet, is the largest private residence in Charleston. This home has a huge collection of period furniture and antiques, and I definitely recommend taking a tour of this home if you get a chance.

Charleston Riverdogs

The Riverdogs are a minor league baseball team in Charleston, and You will have a great time attending one of their games! Legendary actor Bill Murray is a co-owner and the “Director of Fun” of the Riverdogs, and sometimes attends these games. The Riverdogs stadium is located on the Charleston Peninsula at Riley Park, also known as “The Joe”.

Four Corners of Law

Visit the “Four Corners of Law” In Downtown Charleston, located at the intersection of Broad Street and Meeting Street. This location has four buildings, representing 4 different laws, including: 1. God’s Law, at St. Michael’s Church, 2. Federal Law at the Federal Courthouse and Post Office, 3. State Law at the Charleston County Courthouse,and City Law at Charleston City Hall.

Charles Towne Landing

Charles Towne Landing is where the city of Charleston actually began, and is located in West Ashley, not on the Charleston Peninsula. This is the location where the first English Settlers came, dating back to the 1670s.

The settlers would eventually move to the Charleston Peninsula, to what is now known as the historic district of downtown Charleston. This site includes a 17th century replica sailing ship, an animal forest and zoo, miles of trails, gardens, cannons, and an exhibit hall.

Things to do in Charleston SC

Conclusion

Alright, that was my list of the best things to do in Charleston. Again, if you’re looking for more things to do in Charleston, please visit my blog post about the best 100 things to do in Charleston, at GarrisonCharleston.com. If you’re considering moving to Charleston, you can give me a call or text at 843-769-1836, and I will be happy answer any questions that you have about the area.