12 Cool Tourist Attractions to Visit and Fun Things to Do in Charleston, SC


Charleston is a city in South Carolina (SC) State in the United States of America. Some of the best things to do in Charleston, SC include exploring civil war history, revolution war history, museums, plantations, national historical sites, landmark buildings, parks, river cruise and beach activities.

The city was established in 1670 as Charles Town in honor of the British King Charles II. The current name was adopted 1783. It was a major port and was extensively used for slave trading. You get to see this dark aspect of the city’s history at Charleston attractions like the city’s history museum and African American museum. The city also had a lot of plantations which had used slaves. Some of these plantation sites are now converted into museums. These are the best places to visit in Charleston, SC to learn about the life of different classes of people during that period.

The city also has deep rooted connection to the revolution war and the civil war. There are numerous things to see in Charleston, especially on the coastal side of the city. Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie, White Point Garden and several other historical sites in Charleston SC have been pivotal avenues in the American Civil War for the control over the region. Though not entirely dedicated to Civil War, the Patriots Point Maritime and Naval Museum is one of the most popular places to see in Charleston, SC for a variety of naval and air-force vessels housed in there.

Being a coastal city, there are a lot of fun activities in Charleston. You can take a boat tour to explore coastal historical site or nature trails in the marshlands. The carriage tours are also quite popular for Charleston sightseeing. The beaches are also quite nice for leisure and water sports. You will come across several dining and nightlife venues along the beaches and the waterfronts.

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The Top 12 Tourist Places to Visit in Charleston in 3 Days (Trip Itinerary)

Before you start your Charleston Trip, if you are planning to stay for more than 3 days then I suggest you should get Charleston Tour Pass and it covers 40+ Tourist Attractions and Tours in Charleston.

Day 1

1. The Battery and White Point Garden

The battery is a defensive seawall and also a promenade. White Point Garden has a long and storied history intertwined with the city. It was built as a garden, but in 1861 it was incorporated into the fortification of the city. It is one of the most historically significant places to visit in Charleston SC. You can still see cannons hailing from the revolutionary war and the civil war periods. You would need 20 to 30 minutes at White Point Garden when you visit Charleston SC.

The Battery and White Point Garden

2. Nathaniel Russel House

Nathaniel Russel was a wealthy merchant who lived during the 1800s and this house museum tells about life during that time. The house is well known among Charleston attractions for its Neo-Classical design and interior decor crafted by city’s artisans. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this house museum.

Nathaniel Russel House

3. Rainbow Row

This building contains a row of 13 historical houses painted in different colours. It is the building with longest cluster of Georgian row houses in the country. Rainbow Row is one of the most picturesque things to see in Charleston SC. You will need only a few minutes to admire them.

Rainbow Row

4. Joe Riley Waterfront Park

This park and promenade is situated on the banks of the Cooper river. The park has garden spaces, fountains, walking paths and great views. You can also spot several Charleston tourist attractions form the park such as the Harbour, Ravenel Bridge, Castle Pickney, USS Yorktown and more. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this park during Charleston travel.

Joe Riley Waterfront Park

5. Historic Charleston City Market

This open air market has been an integral part of the city’s history and culture. It is open year long and you can enjoy a shopping for local produce, handicraft items, furniture, jewelry, street food and a variety of cool things to do in Charleston SC at this place. You will need about 2 hours to explore this market.

Historic Charleston City Market

Day 2

1. Middleton Place Plantation

This plantation was developed during the 18th century by Middleton Family. The plantation allows an insight into the life of slaves and owners of such plantations during that period. The plantation is also known for its architecture and design. It is one of the largest Charleston SC attractions to explore and will require at least 2 hours of time.

I suggest you should book a guided tour Middleton Place.

Middleton Place Plantation

2. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

This is one of the oldest plantations in South Carolina state and is now recognized as one of the most beautiful gardens in USA. The garden besides its design elements is also popular for Charleston activities like birdwatching. You will need an hour or so to explore this place.

I suggest you should book a tour of Magnolia Plantation and Gardens with Transportation from Charleston.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

3. The Charleston Museum

This museum narrates the history of the city. Founded in 1773, this is one of the oldest museums in USA. You get an extensive understanding of the city’s history and it is hence places you must see in Charleston SC. It will help you get context regarding rest of the places you visit in the city. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.

The Charleston Museum

4. Patriots Point & USS Yorktown

This is a naval and maritime museum which explores the sea-faring history of America. You can witness historical vessels displayed as part of this museum making it one of the most interesting places to see in Charleston. You will need 2 hours to tour this museum.

Patriots Point & USS Yorktown

Day 3

1. Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon (Custom House)

Also known as the Custom House, this building is a relic of the colonial era. The building played various roles during its tenure and is among the most significant historical sites in Charleston SC. You will need an hour to explore the building and its museum.

Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon

2. Fort Sumter National Monument

This fort has great historical significance in the history of USA. It is the place where the Civil War began in 1861. You will need to take a boat ride to get to this island fort and explore its history. All in all the tour requires 3 to 4 hours of time.

I suggest you should book your entry ticket of Fort Sumter with Ferry Ride.

Fort Sumter National Monument

3. South Carolina Aquarium

This aquarium houses 10,000 aquatic flora and fauna. Some of the biggest attractions of this aquarium include otters, sharks, alligators, jellyfishes, eels, sea turtles, crabs, sea-lions and so on. It is among the best things to do in Charleston SC for family tourists and requires at least 2 hours of time to explore.

South Carolina Aquarium

I suggest during your trip to Charleston, you must try following activities.

  1. Historic Storytelling and Walking Tour
  2. Historic Horse & Carriage Tour
  3. Culture, Architecture and History Tour
  4. Harbour History and Sunset Boat Cruise
  5. Water Taxi Cruise with Dolphin Sighting
If you are looking for more activities to do in Charleston SC, check out the sections below. We have prepared an exhaustive list containing almost all the attractions and must do things in Charleston SC you can enjoy during your trip.

Things to do in Charleston

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Charleston

  1. Fort Sumter
  2. Magnolia Plantation
  3. Historic Charleston City Market
  4. Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens
  5. Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum
  6. Middleton Plantation
  7. Gibbes Museum of Art
  8. The Charleston Museum
  9. Drayton Hall
  10. Fort Moultrie
  11. Old Exchange and Provost
  12. Charles Town Landing State Historic Site
  13. Charles Pickney National Historical Site
  14. Old Slave Mart Museum
  15. Nathaniel Russel House
  16. Aiken Rhett House Museum
  17. Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry
  18. McLeod Plantation Historic Site
  19. Morris Island Lighthouse
  20. USS Yorktown
  21. Heyward Washington House
  22. H.L. Hunley Submarine
  23. The Williams Mansion
  24. Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art
  25. Powder Magazine Military Museum
  26. Magnolia Cemetery Trust
  27. Joseph Manigault House
  28. St. Philip’s Church
  29. Saint Michael’s Church
  30. Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront
  31. Old Charleston Jail
  32. Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim
  33. North Charleston Fire Museum
  34. French Huguenot Church
  35. International African American Museum
  36. Circular Congressional Church
  37. Sullivan Island Lighthouse
  38. Southeastern Wildlife Exposition
  39. Unitarian Church
  40. Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist
  41. Lighthouse Inlet
  42. Mother Emanuel AME Church
  43. Museum at Market Hall
  44. Redux Contemporary Art Center
  45. City Gallery
  46. Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum
  47. South Carolina Historical Society
  48. Pink House Gallery
  49. Mary Martin Fine Art Gallery
  50. Parris Island Museum
  51. South Carolina State House
  52. South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum
  53. Battle of Rivers Bridge State Historical Site
  54. Robert Lange Studios
  55. Meyer Vogl Gallery
  56. Atrium Art Gallery
  57. Charleston Artist Guild
  58. Revealed Art Gallery
  59. Edward Dare Gallery
  60. Lowcountry Artists Gallery
  61. John Caroll Doyle Art Gallery

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Charleston

  1. Caw Caw Interpretive Center
  2. Francis Marion National Forest
  3. Audubon Swamp Garden
  4. The Avian Conservation Center
  5. Barrier Islands

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Charleston

  1. South Carolina Aquarium
  2. Joe Riley Waterfront Park
  3. White Point Garden
  4. James Island County Park
  5. Hampton Park
  6. Folly Beach County Park
  7. Palmetto Carriage Works
  8. Palmetto Islands County Park
  9. Shen Creek Park
  10. Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor
  11. Firefly Distillery
  12. Riverfront Park
  13. Splash Zone Waterpark
  14. Charleston County Park and Recreation
  15. Brittlebank Park
  16. Colonial Lake Park
  17. Washington Park
  18. Palmetto Brewing Co.
  19. Laural Hill County Park
  20. Wild Blue Ropes Adventure Park
  21. Charleston Sailing Adventures

Shopping in Charleston

  1. Charleston City Market
  2. Quadrangle Shopping Center
  3. Charleston Farmers Market
  4. Mount Pleasant Old Village
  5. Pitt Street
  6. King Street
  7. Ashley Landing
  8. Tanger Outlets
  9. Orange Grove Plaza Shopping Center
  10. South Windermere Center
  11. Citadel Mall
  12. The Shops at Belmond Charleston Place

Beaches & Islands in Charleston

  1. Folly Beach
  2. Sullivan’s Island Beach
  3. Morris Island
  4. Daniel Island
  5. Kiawah Beach
  6. Isle of Palms
  7. Seabrook Island

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure Activities to Do in Charleston

  1. Boat Cruise
  2. Walking Tour
  3. Paddle Boarding
  4. Nature Trails
  5. Carriage Tour
  6. Fishing
  7. Bicycle Tour
  8. Zipline
  9. Jet Skiing
  10. Surfing
  11. Birdwatching
  12. Watersports
  13. Parasailing
  14. Kayaking
  15. Sailing

Sightseeing in Charleston

  1. Rainbow Row
  2. The Battery
  3. Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
  4. Angel Oak Tree
  5. King Street
  6. Pineapple Fountain
  7. Edmondston Alston House
  8. Charleston Harbour
  9. Marion Square
  10. Broad Street
  11. Mount Pleasant Pier
  12. East Bay Street
  13. Liberty Square
  14. Old Village
  15. Pitt Street Bridge

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Charleston

  1. Pavilion Bar
  2. Nigel’s Good Food
  3. Obstinate Daughter
  4. Jackrabbit Filly
  5. Wild Olive
  6. Bertha’s
  7. Maison
  8. Hannibal’s Kitchen
  9. Lewis Barbecue
  10. Chubby Fish
  11. Xiao Bao Biscuit
  12. Kwei Fei
  13. Miller All Day
  14. The Ordinary
  15. 167 Raw
  16. Husk
  17. Vicious Biscuit
  18. Chez Nous
  19. Peace Pie
  20. Le Farfalle

Where to Stay in Charleston?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Charleston. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Charleston.

Luxurious Hotels

  1. Francis Marion Hotel
  2. Town & Country Inn and Suites
  3. HarbourView Inn
  4. Andrew Pinckney Inn
  5. The Restoration Hotel
  6. Hilton Club Liberty Place Charleston
  7. Hyatt Place Charleston/Historic District
  8. Planters Inn
  9. Ansonborough Inn
  10. Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Waterfront/Downtown
  11. Market Pavilion Hotel
  12. The Vendue Charleston’s Art Hotel

Mid-Range Hotels

  1. Best Western Charleston Inn
  2. Comfort Suites West of the Ashley
  3. Sleep Inn Charleston – West Ashley
  4. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Charleston Riverview
  5. Creekside Lands Inn
  6. Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Charleston
  7. WoodSpring Suites
  8. WoodSpring Suites Charleston Airport
  9. Hampton Inn Charleston – Daniel Island
  10. Home2 Suites Charleston West Ashley

Budget Hotels

  1. Motel 6 Charleston, SC – South
  2. Days Inn by Wyndham Charleston WV


TripAdvisor

Custom Tours Package in Charleston

How to Reach Charleston?

By Air

Charleston International Airport received direct flights from Seattle, Pittsburg, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Charlotte, Dallas, Miami, Washington, Chicago, New Haven, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Long Island, New Orleans, San Francisco, Tampa, New York, Boston, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Orlando, Austin, Baltimore, Houston, Nashville, Denver and many more.

You can get cabs and buses from the airport to visit Charleston SC.

By Road

You can use trains on Amtrak’s Palmetto route for Charleston travel. You will get direct trains from New York, Washington, Savannah, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and Miami. There are also numerous cities from where you can get connecting trains to reach Charleston SC.

The bus network also connects you to several town and cities in the country. The Greyhound and ACE Basin Express are the most popular options to travel by bus.

If you are planning for Charleston trip by road, you can pick between routes 526 or 26.

By Water

The Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway connects Charleston SC to Norfolk, Elizabeth City, Beaufort, Wilmington, Savannah, Fernandina Beach, Key West and Miami.


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