Sure, you could hop on a horse carriage , or into a pedicab, or join an official walking tour, all excellent ways to explore the city. But sometimes you want to explore at will, without a historical lecture in your ear, and the best way to do that is on foot.
This is a walking tour that clocks in at just under two miles in length, and it's a must-do for anyone visiting Charleston. Start at Waterfront Park , whose pier juts out into the harbor, to scope out the original Colonial city wall, then make your way to the East Bay, where you might just catch a regatta in progress.
End at Goat. Cow , where you can have them arrange a picnic spread that you can take to nearby Washington Square, and feast on expertly curated cheese under the shade of a live oak tree. These two sisters, whose family has been in Charleston for seven generations, know the city better than almost anyone. They tried that once, but you know how sibling dynamics go. So they work solo. We gathered in Washington Square for roughly a 2-hour walk through the cobblestone streets and hidden alleys of Charleston.
Realistically, the mile drive takes about 45 minutes. The leisurely drive through a tunnel of oaks takes you onto the barrier island which, although close to the mainland, feels worlds away.
On your agenda: self-pampering, resort fine dining, tennis, kayaking, and world-class golf. On a typical daytime visit, this gallery and working artist studio feels terrifically spacious and calm, with indie acoustics on the playlist and paintings covering contemporary subjects are on the walls.
Located at the mouth of the Charleston Harbor, the beaches on this island are ones that have been loved for generations, as is evidenced by some of the gingerbread cottages in the historic part of town. But what makes these beaches special, compared to Charleston's other beaches , is their wide expanse of sand, peaceful waves because of sandbars , and natural paths through vegetation that not only make you feel as if you're stepping back in time, but protect the shoreline during storms and build a sense of anticipation for that first glimpse of blue water.
Like magic, a small street-front doorway and single staircase serve as a portal to 50 different countries. Textiles from 50 countries, that is, but you feel transported. Ibu is an Indonesian-Malay term honoring women. The promenade along the seawall washed by the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, as they meet and form Charleston Harbor, became a public garden in but was fortified as Battery Ramsey when the Civil War began. Historic mortars and cannons from that war, as well as a Confederate monument, are displayed here, but the main reason the park is a favorite place for tourists to stroll is that it is bordered by some of Charleston's grandest stately homes and mansions and offers a spectacular view of Fort Sumter and Charleston Harbor.
One of the most popular things to do for families in Charleston is the South Carolina Aquarium. Despite its name, it isn't just home to underwater creatures. Birds, land-dwelling mammals, plants, and reptiles join the sea inhabitants in every kid's favorite Charleston attraction. The emphasis is on participation, so in addition to the two-story, ,gallon aquarium tank, where there are daily interactive shows, you'll find Shark Shallows, where you can touch sharks and rays, and a touch tank with starfish and other creatures.
To get a feel for the behind-the-scenes animal care, visitors can tour the aquarium's Sea Turtle Hospital — South Carolina's only hospital for sick and injured sea turtles. The aquarium's best-loved resident is Caretta, a pound loggerhead sea turtle that lives in the Great Ocean Tank.
Ravenel Bridge. The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge across the Cooper River, joining downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant, became a well-loved landmark immediately upon its completion in Its sleek cable-stay design is more than just a pretty bridge: it is built to withstand winds in excess of miles per hour and a 7.
Along with its multiple traffic lanes, the bridge includes a shared bicycle-pedestrian path named Wonders' Way, and walking or biking across it is a favorite activity for its sweeping views of Charleston. Boone Hall Plantation. One of America's oldest working plantations, the Boone Hall is best known for its moss-draped, three-quarter-mile Avenue of Oaks and for preserving original slave cabins.
The highly photogenic trees that frame the approach to Boone Hall were planted in by the son of Major John Boone, the original owner. Crops have been continuously grown here for more than three centuries, and you can buy fruits, berries, and vegetables at their Boone Hall Farms Market, close to the plantation on Hwy.
Its collections are vast, arranged in a number of permanent exhibits that begin with Native Americans and early settlers in the Lowcountry History Hall , where you can see rare slave badges and early tools used in rice growing.
Exhibit areas illustrate early weaponry, life during the Revolution, and Charleston's role in the Civil War. The Early Days gallery displays the often-quirky collections of 19th-century world travelers, including an Egyptian mummy and case and Greek and Roman antiquities.
The Loeblein Gallery of Charleston Silver shows southern-made silver through the Victorian era including George Washington's christening cup , and the Historic Textiles Gallery shows changing examples from the museum's outstanding collection of historic needlework, costumes, and textiles.
Kidstory brings the history of Charleston and the Lowcountry to life in hands-on exhibits. Drayton Hall. The elegant Drayton Hall is the oldest unrestored plantation house in America still open to the public.
Similar to other local plantations, Drayton Hall offers guided house tours, but where it differs is that the house itself its walls, floors, and fireplaces remains virtually undisturbed, giving a rare glimpse into the past. Its exquisite interiors are untouched, featuring ornamental details and original 18th-century craftsmanship.
Endearing personal touches remain, such as a children's growth chart dating back more than years. The plantation's African-American cemetery, dating from about , is among the oldest African-American cemeteries in the nation still in use. The tour is self-guided, with signage explaining the history, as well as personal accounts of slaves, artifacts, and audio and visual exhibits. Drink your way through the Brewery District. Pair live music with cocktails at Firefly Distillery.
Head out on a haunted ghost tour or check out a historic cemetery. Scare yourself silly at Boone Hall Fright Nights. Immerse yourself in local art. Beach it up. Visit sea turtles at the aquarium. Stroll along the Battery. Walk across the Cooper River Bridge. Explore the city on two wheels. Stock up on local produce at a farmers market. Groove to a live jazz show. Bridge, while also often coming in contact with pods of friendly bottlenosed dolphins. More than 5, sea critters call the South Carolina Aquarium home, encompassing stingrays, sharks, horseshoe crabs, sea stars, and prickly urchins — just to name a few.
Besides the traditional aquarium tanks, visitors are blessed with the chance to watch the staff in action at the Zucker Family Sea Turtle Recovery, learning about the efforts that help sick and injured turtles make it back to full health.
Kids are sure to obsess over the interactive touch-tanks too. As the oldest working distillery in the city, Firefly has had plenty of time to perfect its craft — and the proof is in the product! Make an effort to try the famous, hand-crafted, sweet tea flavored vodka, concocted from Louisiana sugar cane and local tea leaves. If the schedule lines up, try to head to the distillery on the weekend — with groovy live music, the atmosphere is turned up a notch!
Showcasing a constantly rotating calendar of world-famous artists, every night is something special at the Charleston Music Hall. Hint: book in advance — thanks to its reputation as one of the best things to do in Charleston, the shows often sell out. Foodies, get excited! Thanks to its prime steaks, delicious Lowcountry meals, and fresh seafood specialties, Halls Chophouse continues to hold the coveted title as the best eaterie in the city according to TripAdvisor.
Sporting a reputation as the only dedicated jazz listening room across the entire Holy City, the Forte Jazz Lounge is an essential stop for any audiophiles planning a visit in the near future. A rotating fixture of local musicians take center stage in the cozy, New York-style lounge; meanwhile, guests can sit back, soak it all in, and enjoy a craft beer or bottle of bubble from the fully-stocked bar.
Widely considered as one of the premier shopping hotspots in the city, the Charleston Farmers Market is teeming with fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods and locally-made jams, and quirky arts and crafts vendors. Thanks to its convenient location in Marion Square in the city center, the Farmers Market is an easy activity to add to any Saturday morning itinerary.
This place is much more than just a golf course. After maxing out the credit card, choose from an abundance of restaurants, bars, and clubs to cap off the evening or even party into the early hours of the morning. Promising to be an unforgettable couple of hours on the waters of the Lowcountry, Saltwater Cycle combines sightseeing with socializing and plenty of drinks to boot.
The engaging, interactive performances at Black Fedora are a hoot for the whole family, with appetizers, homemade desserts, and drinks capping off a great evening. On the way out, stop in the gift store and check out all the quirky, mystery-themed souvenirs on display. Located just across from the famous Arthur Ravenel Jr. We hope you have enjoyed our selection of things to do in Charleston.
Do not hesitate to comment below if you know other interesting places in Charleston you wish to recommend. If you will be visiting Myrtle Beach, located just miles away from Charleston, take a look at our list of fun things to do in Myrtle Beach.
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