Charleston is an amazing city with a vast history, and it is not hard to find things to do in the area! Charleston has free things to do with your family, historic free things to do, and free things to do in downtown Charleston.

100 Things to do in Charleston
Living in Charleston Pros and Cons

Here is a list of the the 45 best free things to do near Charleston, SC!

Angel Oak Tree

Johns Island angel oak tree

The Angel Oak Tree on John’s Island is a must-see if you’re in the area!  The tree is estimated to be approximately 400-500 years old (some believe it is much older), and is about 66 feet tall.  It is amazing how far the branches on this tree extend (the longest is 187 feet).  There is a gift shop near the tree for souvenirs!

Morris Island Lighthouse

The Morris Island lighthouse was constructed in 1876, and is located Northeast from the downtown at Folly Beach.  The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1892, and is located on the southern side entrance to the Charleston Harbor.  The lighthouse was originally created on Morris Island, but a lot of the island has eroded putting the lighthouse offshore.  

Charleston City Market

Things to do in Charleston sc

The Charleston City Market is one of the oldest public markets in the United States (established in the 1790’s), and is open all year.  The market is free to tour, opens everyday at 9:30 am, and closes at 6 pm.  The market is located in Downtown Charleston, and stretches for 4 city blocks on Market Street.  The City Market is a great place to visit to look for souvenirs from Charleston, and there are many great places to eat surrounding the Market!  You will also find beautiful and historic handcrafted sweetgrass baskets for sale, which originated in Africa and has been passed down through generations.

Pineapple Fountain and Waterfront Park

Visit Waterfront Park at the East side of the Charleston peninsula, at Vendue Range and Concord Street.  The Park has a beautiful view of the Charleston Harbor, a Fountain for the kids to play in, and is the location of the famous Pineapple Fountain!  Take a walk down the Pier, and view Castle Pinckney, The U.S.S. Yorktown, and Fort Sumter!  You can also take a water taxi from this location to Mt. Pleasant.

Pineapple Fountain at Waterfront Park

Charleston Battery

Take a walk along the Historic Charleston Battery and defensive seawall, and get a great view of Charleston Harbor and all of the amazing historic homes in this area!  The Battery gets its name from a Civil War defensive battery formally at the site.  The Battery is located at the tip of the Charleston peninsula, and is free to visit!

White Point Garden and the Battery

Rainbow Row

One of Charleston’s most famous sites is at Rainbow Row.  This location is named due to the 13 colorful historic homes, dating back to the 1700s,  located here that have been painted in pastel colors.  The homes are located on East Bay Street, north of Tradd Street, and South of Elliot Street.  This is one of the most photographed locations in Charleston, and is a must-see if you’re in the area!

Historic Homes for sale, Charleston, SC
Rainbow Row

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, and represents: 1. Gods Law (St. Michael’s Church), 2. Federal Law (Federal Courthouse and Post Office), 3. State Law (Charleston County Courthouse), and City Law (Charleston City Hall).

City hall in Charleston is located at 80 Broad Street, and was built in 1801, and is one of the oldest continuously used City Halls in the Country.  The Bank of the United States was originally located at this building, but it turned into Charleston’s City Hall in 1818.  There are historical paintings on display at the City Hall, including pictures of George Washington, and Andrew Jackson.  The City Hall is a Must-See for history buffs!

Shem Creek

Shem Creek is a beautiful area known for it’s many waterfront bars and restaurants bordering both sides of the Creek.  Shem Creek offers a park, boardwalk, and a public dock (good for fishing/crabbing).  Stop by and watch for dolphins, go kayaking, or enjoy a great place to have a drink and eat some local sea food!

Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant

The French Quarter

Take a walk around the “French Quarter” in Charleston!  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 Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon,  The French Huguenot Church, the Old Slave Mart Museum, and the Charleston City Market. 

Things to do in Charleston- French Quarter

Go Crabbing

  • Locations: Multiple Locations
  • Cost: Free

Catching blue crabs near Charleston is very easy, and as of the date of this article, does not require a license.  Make sure to check out the current regulations before you go crabbing.  There are regulations on the size of crabs that you can keep, the number of lines that you can use, etc…  Here are some good crabbing locations:

Free things to do in Charleston
Crabbing at James Island County Park

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.

Ghost Tour

Charleston has a vast history, and there are many old graveyards to visit around the city.  Charleston is considered by many to be one of the most haunted cities in the United States due to it’s Pre-Revolutionary history.  You can walk around the city and visit some of the graveyards (i.e. Unitarian Church Graveyard), or pay to take a guided Ghost Tour.  

King Street

King Street is a popular location for tourist, college students, shopping, 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!  At more than 200 years old, King Street is one of the most historically significant locations in Charleston. King Street was named after King Charles II of England, and is now one of the most famous shopping streets in the Country.

King Street has many restaurants, cocktail lounges, hotels, art galleries, and places to shop. King Street has 3 different districts along the street; Upper King Street Design District, Middle King Street Fashion District, and Lower King Street Antique District.

Upper King Street

Upper King Street is also known as the “Design and Dining District”. This area of King Street located in between Calhoun Street (Marion Square) and Spring Street, and is also known for it’s lively nightlife, hotels, great restaurants, and apartment buildings. This is a great area to live, if you’re looking to be in the heart of King Street, and the Charleston Downtown Area.

Middle King Street

Middle King Street is also known as the “fashion district”, and is located in between Calhoun Street and Market Street. This area of King street is named due to the fashion boutiques in this area, and is a popular shopping location for well known national brands.

Lower King Street

Lower King Street is also known as the “Antique District”, and is located in between Market Street and Broad Street. In this area of King Street, you will find some of the best antique shopping in the Country, including the George C. Birlant and Company antique shop.

Charles Pinckney National Historic Site

Charles Pinckney is an often forgotten founding father of the United States, and signer of the United States Constitution.  Pinckney served four terms as governor of South Carolina, and was a Presidential Candidate in 1804 (losing to Thomas Jefferson).  You can visit the 28 acres that are left of his originally 715 acre plantation known as “Snee Farm” in Mount Pleasant.

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.

Castle Pinckney

You can view Castle Pinckney in Charleston Harbor, but are no tours of Castle Pinckney.  If you get out on a boat in Charleston Harbor, you can get a good view of the old military fort. 

After the Revolutionary War, George Washington visited Charleston and ordered that a fort be built on Shutes Folly island due to it’s strategic location. A log fort called “Fort Pinckney” was completed in honor of Revolutionary War General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, and was destroyed by a hurricane shortly after.  Castle Pinckney is a brick masonry fort built in 1810 (shortly after the log fort was destroyed), and was named due to it’s castle like design.  

Fort Sumter was built shortly after, and Castle Pinckney was a “second line of defense”.  In 1860, South Carolina seceded from the Union, and a group of South Carolina militia captured Castle Pinckney from the Union, which was being guarded by a handful of Union Soldiers; no shots were fired. 

Castle Pinckney

Walk the Arthur Ravenel Bridge

The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, also known as the Cooper River Bridge, is a symbol of Charleston and was completed in 2005.  The Bridge is about 2.5 miles long, and connects downtown Charleston to Mt. Pleasant.  There are areas to park on both sides of the bridge, and you can walk or bike the bridge.  Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park is a great location to park if you would like to walk the bridge.  

White Point Garden

White Point Garden is a 5.7 public park along the southern tip of the Charleston Peninsula.  This is the location of “The Battery” in Charleston, a defensive seawall for the city.   The park provides a great view of the Charleston Harbor, including Fort Sumter.  There are several monuments, statues, and replica cannons at this location.  

Saint Michael’s Church

Saint Michael’s church is the oldest surviving church in Charleston.  It is located at 71 Broad Street, at the intersection of Meeting Street, and was built in the 1750s.  It is located at the “Four Corners of Law” in downtown Charleston and represents ecclesiastical law.  The Church is an impressive site, and the Steeple is 186′ tall.  

St. Michael's Church downtown Charleston

Colonial Lake

Located on the corner of Broad Street and Rutledge Avenue, Colonial Lake is a small but beautiful lake in downtown Charleston.   The park has been a gathering area for more than 150 years, and has many amazing historic homes surrounding the lake.  It only takes about 10 minutes to walk around the small lake, but it is worth doing if you are in the neighborhood. 

Take a Historic Walking Tour

  • Location: Multiple Locations
  • Cost: Varies

Take a historic walking tour of Charleston, and learn some of the city’s amazing history!  Charleston is a “living museum”, and many of the buildings on the peninsula has some historical significance.  Here are some links to walking tours in Charleston:

Marion Square

Marion square is a 6.5 acre green-space in downtown Charleston.  Marion Square was named in honor of Francis Marion, aka the “Swamp Fox”, who was a military officer during the Revolutionary War.  The square is located along Calhoun Street, and between King and Meeting streets.  The Square is the Location of the Holocaust memorial.

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.  

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

Frankie’s Fun Park

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.

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.  

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.  

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.    

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! 

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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

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!

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.  

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.  

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

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

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

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

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!

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.  

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.  

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.  

Conclusion

Thank you for reading my free things to do near Charleston! Please contact me with any questions or suggestions for additional items to add to the list!