Things to do in Charleston, SC

Charleston has plenty to do since tourism is one of the biggest industries in the area. Whether you're looking for educational activities, kid-friendly places, sports events, or free entertainment, you can find something for everyone in Charleston!

Charleston Plantations

Boone Hall Plantation

Boone hall plantation

At Boone Hall Plantation you can see one of Charleston's most famous plantation houses, walk through beautiful gardens, and eat at the Plantation Kitchen restaurant. Boone Hall Plantation is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Open 9 to 5 Monday through Saturday, and 1 to 4 on Sunday. For more info, call 843.884.4371 or visit www.boonehallplantation.com

Drayton Hall

Drayton hall plantation

This plantation is a great example of historic preservation in Charleston. The Drayton family began construction in 1738, and seven generations later, the home was sold to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The trust has kept the home and gardens in near-original condition for the past thirty years. The main plantation house is the oldest Georgian Palladian architecture in the country that is still intact. To learn more visit www.draytonhall.org/

Magnolia Plantation

Magnolia plantation

Also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Magnolia Plantation is the original home of the Drayton family. Visitors can tour the home and walk through one of the oldest public gardens in the United States. Open daily, 8 a.m. to dusk through October; call for November through February hours. Call 843.571.1266 or 800.367.3517; www.magnoliaplantation.com

Middleton Place Plantation

Middleton place plantation

Built in the 1700's, Middleton Place features 65 acres of landscaped gardens. Visitors can learn about the historical importance of the Middleton family. Also, Middleton Place is a National Historic Landmark. Located 14 miles north of downtown Charleston on Hwy. 61. Open daily, 9 to 5. For more information call 843.556.6020 or 800.782.3608; or visit www.middletonplace.org

Charleston Historic Sites

Fort Sumter National Monument

Cannon at fort sumter

See where the Civil War began on April 12, 1861, and also get incredible views of the Charleston Harbor. This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Charleston. Boats depart from 2 locations - Liberty Square in downtown Charleston and Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. For admission rates and departure times, call 843.883.3123 or 843.722.2628. The exhibit hall at Liberty Square (south of the Aquarium) is open daily 8:30 to 5 at no charge. Closed Christmas and New Year's. See www.nps.gov/fosu.

Fort Moultrie

Fort moultrie

Fort Moultrie is a National Park Service site with over 200 years of coastal defense history. Located on 1214 Middle Street on Sullivan's Island. Visitor center has a 20-minute film and exhibits. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Christmas and New Year's. Admission rates: adults, $2; seniors and children, $1; family, $5; school groups, free. Call 843.883.3123 or see www.nps.gov/fomo for more information.

The Powder Magazine

charleston historic landmark

Built in 1713, this is the oldest public building in the Carolinas and one of the oldest from the early British colonies. During this time, Charleston was the southernmost English settlement and had high walls and a moat around it for protection from pirates as well as French and Spanish naval ships. The Powder Magazine was used to store Charleston's gunpowder supply. It is a national historic landmark and has undergone a good deal of restoration in the past 10 or 15 years. http://www.powdermag.org/

Charles Pinckney National Historic Site

Charles pinckney national historic site

This historic site features the cottage and 28-acre farm of a Founding Father. Visitors can watch a 20 minute film, view exhibits, and walk on trails at the farm. On Saturdays in February and March, visitors can attend programs that teach about the Gullah heritage in Charleston. Open 9 to 5 daily, except Christmas and New Year's. Admission is free. Located at 1254 Long Point Road in Mt. Pleasant. For more info, call 843.881.5516 or visit www.nps.gov/chpi.

The Hunley

The Hunley was the first submarine to sink a battleship during combat. Tours of the Hunley are available every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and every Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. at the Warren Lasch Conservation Lab. For tour tickets and directions, call 1.877.4HUNLEY (1.877.448.6539). Walk-up tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Charles Towne Landing

This state historic site was the first permanent European settlement in South Carolina. Charles Towne Landing is located in West Ashley. For more information you can call 843.852.4200 or visit www.charlestowne.org/

Museums in Charleston

The Charleston Museum

charleston museum

The oldest museum in the country was founded in Charleston in 1773. The museum's various collections include artifacts from Charleston's natural and cultural history. Located at 360 Meeting Street, across from the Charleston Visitor Center. To learn more about their permanent display and traveling exhibits visit www.charlestonmuseum.org/

Gibbes Museum of Art

art museum in charleston

Gibbes is Charleston's main art museum. It has a great collection of regional pieces, from paintings by local artists to portraits of Charleston's historic figures to drawings that show downtown Charleston more than two hundred years ago! The works range in date from the 1700s to present. Although many of the regionalism works stay on display throughout the year, the museum usually also has a circulating exhibition. Gibbes is located on Meeting Street in downtown Charleston. Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and students, $5 for children aged 6-12, and free for members and for children under 6 years of age. You can contact the art museum by phone at 843.722.2706, or you can visit their website at www.gibbesmuseum.org/

Patriots Point Naval Maritime Museum

This museum is located on the Charleston Harbor, 2 miles east on US-17 at 40 Patriots Point Road. Visitors can tour the aircraft carrier Yorktown (World War II's Famous "Fighting Lady"), tour the submarine Clamagore, and see many other exhibits. Open daily, 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., April through September; 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., rest of the year. Closed December 25. Admission: adults, $14; adults over age 61 and military with ID, $12; military in uniform, free; ages 6 through 11, $7; ages 5 and under, free. Food is available. MC, VI. Charleston Harbor, Mount Pleasant side of Cooper River Bridge. For more information call 843.884.2727 or visit www.PatriotsPoint.org

The American Military Museum

Visitors can see uniforms and artifacts from all branches of military from the Vietnam War, World War I, World War II, the Civil War, and the Revolutionary War. Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: military in uniform, free; adults, $6; children, $2. Group rates are available. Located at Aquarium Wharf, 360 Concord St. For more information call 843.577.7000.

Children's Museum of The Low Country

This museum encourages children to learn through hands-on experience. The museum has seven exhibits relating to sciences, arts, and humanities. Admission is $7 per person, and children under the age of 1 have free admission. Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Located on 25 Ann St. For more information call 843.853.8962.

Famous Charleston Tours

Charleston Carriage Tours

College of charleston

Take a horse-drawn carriage tour of historic downtown Charleston. The tours highlight the most famous monuments, public buildings, and historic homes of downtown Charleston. The tours are also a good way to learn about Charleston's heritage. These tours start from Guignard Street, which is right off the Market. For more information call 843.853.3747 or visit www.classiccarriage.com/

Charleston Ghost Tours

If you're looking for a slightly different kind of tour, then you can take your pick from the Charleston Ghost Tours. These walking tours give you access to some of Charleston's most haunted places such as the Pre-Revolutionary Dungeon, the Old City Jail, the Haunted Historic District, and Charleston's oldest graveyard. To learn more about the different kinds of tours that are offered, see www.bulldogtours.com/

Charleston Sports Teams

Charleston Riverdogs Baseball

charleston baseball team

The Riverdogs is the minor league baseball team in Charleston, and it's an affiliate of the New York Yankees. The stadium is located in downtown Charleston along the Ashley River. The Riverdogs also has a baseball camp for kids. You can find the team's schedule and order tickets online at www.riverdogs.com/

Charleston Battery Soccer

professional soccer in charleston

If baseball is not your sport, then maybe you could watch Charleston's professional soccer team, The Battery. The Battery plays on Daniel Island at the Blackbaud Stadium, which was the first privately funded soccer stadium in the country. For more information visit the official website, www.charlestonbattery.com

Stingrays Hockey

charleston hockey

Charleston's professional hockey team, the Stingrays, is located in North Charleston - they play at the North Charleston Coliseum. To learn more about the team and get a season schedule, you can visit the official website at www.stingrayshockey.com/

College Sports Teams

Between the College of Charleston and The Citadel, you'll find most college sports games to attend.

Shopping in Charleston

Tanger Outlet Shopping Mall

The Tanger Outlets in North Charleston have more than ninety outlet stores, including Banana Republic, Gap, Old Navy, Ann Taylor, Nine West, Coach, Mikasa, and Eddie Bauer. To see all of the outlet stores and to get directions visit www.tangeroutlet.com/

Mt. Pleasant Towne Centre

The Towne Centre has a central location in Mt. Pleasant - it's just off Hwy 17, right at the Isle of Palms Connector. It's the main shopping area in Mt. Pleasant. There are restaurants, a movie theater, and a wide selection of stores, including Barnes and Noble, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Belks. See more at www.mtpleasanttownecentre.com/

Shopping on King Street

Historic King Street in downtown Charleston is lined with stores. You'll find two Starbucks', lots of clothing stores, several shoe stores, a few kitchen stores (like Williams-Sonoma and Le Creuset), boutique-style shops, antique stores, and lots of bars and restaurants. King Street is one of the most popular streets to walk in Charleston.

Historic Charleston Homes Open to the Public

Aiken-Rhett House

charleston attraction

This home looks much like it did when it was built over 150 years ago. Instead of being restored, it has been preserved - most of the features, such as wallpaper and decor, have been untouched since around the time the home was built. It housed a former governor of South Carolina (William Aiken, Jr.), though he was not the original owner. Located at 48 Elizabeth Street. To learn more, you can visit their website

Edmondston-Alston House

charleston tourist attraction

Built in 1825, this mansion is a great example of the Greek Revival style homes that are popular in downtown Charleston. And, since it's located on the Battery, it has great views of the Charleston Harbor. This is actually one of the few homes on the Battery that is open to the public. Visit their website

Thomas Elfe House

charleston sc

This residence was home to one of Charleston's most famous craftsmen - a cabinet maker whose works are displayed in various museums and collections today. Although it's not as lavish as some of the other homes in this list, it's still one of the more popular homes to tour in Charleston. The home was built sometime before 1760, and it's located at 54 Queen Street. Learn more

Nathaniel Russell House

charleston tourist site

Located on 51 Meeting Street, this home is probably best known for the free-floating staircase that extends throughout the center of this three story home. It was built in 1808 by one of Charleston's wealthiest shipping merchants and is also known for its neoclassical design. www.historiccharleston.org/experience/nrh/

Heyward-Washington House

charleston attractions

Often called Charleston's Revolutionary War house, it was home to one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Heyward, Jr. It is also considered historic because George Washington stayed there in 1791 during his tour of the nation as President. The home dates back to 1772, and it's an example of the Georgian style that was so popular in Charleston before the Revolution. Located at 360 Meeting Street. More

Other Fun Activities

SC Aquarium

SC aquarium in charleston

The South Carolina Aquarium features thousands of marine animals, including sharks, loggerhead turtles, otters, eels, and seahorses. The aquarium has different exhibits throughout the year and will provide an educational experience for kids and adults! Open daily. For information, you can either call 843.720.1990 or visit their website at www.scaquarium.org

Charleston County Parks

the climbing wall at james island county park

There are several parks located throughout the Charleston area - James Island, Folly Beach, Mt. Pleasant, Isle of Palms, John's Island, and North Charleston. These parks have lots of walking trails, and they're great especially for residents with dogs. In addition to green spaces and playgrounds, some of the parks have special amenities - for example, the James Island County Park has the largest climbing wall in the state, the park at Folly Beach has an impressive fishing pier, and the John's Island County Park has an equestrian center. To learn more visit www.ccprc.com/

Theatres in Charleston

charleston cultural events

The Dock Street Theatre was the first building in the United States dedicated solely to theatrical performances. It is home to the Charleston Stage Company, which is the largest professional theatre company in the state. Another popular theatre is the Sottile Theatre (pictured left). Charleston also has a ballet theatre located on King Street (The Charleston Ballet Theatre).

Charleston Symphony Orchestra

charleston symphony

The Charleston Symphony Orchestra performs at various auditoriums and events throughout the Charleston area. The resident orchestra is comprised of forty-six full-time, professional musicians, making it the state's largest year-round performing arts organization. You can learn more about the Charleston Symphony and see a schedule of their upcoming concerts on their website. You can also read about the many outreach and educational programs that the group is involved with. www.charlestonsymphony.com/

Angel Oak

angel oak in charleston

The Angel Oak tree is believed to be one of the oldest living things on this side of the Mississippi River. Scientists estimate that the tree is about 1400 years old. Charleston is known for its beautiful old live oaks, lined with Spanish moss. The Angel Oak dwarfs any of the other trees in the area, with a height of more than 65 feet and a spread of about 160 feet. To learn more about the park at Angel Oak see www.angeloaktree.org/