Ultimate Charleston Travel Guide: Top 10 Experiences You Can't Miss
What is Charleston Most Famous For?
Charleston is South Carolina’s oldest and largest city and there’s a lot to choose from among the best things to do here. Charleston has several museums to explore that detail the city’s rich history and culture. Rather than the skyscrapers that dominate most US city skylines, Charleston’s attractive skyline is dominated by church spires. With plenty of museums, bars, historic structures, and a pretty harbor, the city attracts a diverse mix of history buffs, partygoers, families, and fans of fishing.
You could spend weeks exploring the immaculately preserved Downtown and Charleston Harbor areas. But there are plenty of highlights that make a quick visit of a day or two to this enchanting city well worthwhile.
What are the best things to do in Charleston?
1. Charleston Harbor
A wildlife watcher’s paradise
Good for: Adventure, Families, History
In between Sullivan’s Island and James Island, you’ll find Charleston Harbor, which is populated with a rich variety of birdlife ranging from pelicans to laughing gulls. If you’re lucky, you might also catch a glimpse of a dolphin or two, or even a family of river otters. If you plan to stay here, you’ll find plenty of resorts at the nearby marina.
Activities at Charleston Harbor include chartered fishing and yacht tours, spa retreats, helicopter rides, and museum tours. You can add a touch of “spooky” to your trip by embarking on one of the local ghost walk tours. Or, simply enjoy the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean to start your day.
Charleston Harbor
2. Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist
Church spires still dominate the cityscape of Charleston
Good for: History, Photo
Charleston’s Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist has a fascinating history. The site on which it stands was purchased in 1821 by Bishop John England, the first bishop of Charleston, and the original structure was completed in 1854 but was destroyed by a fire in the 1860s. It would take 45 years to raise the funding to rebuild the cathedral.
During your visit to this Gothic-style religious monument, take note of the unique stained-glass windows over each entrance. The renovation plans included a tall spire, but lack of funding prevented this from being constructed. Much of Charleston’s skyline is dominated by church spires that are dotted around the city, including the spire of this impressive cathedral.
Location: 120 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Phone: +1 843-724-8395
Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist
3. Museums
Charleston Harbor is a treasure trove of museums
Good for: Families, History, Photo
Charleston Harbor is one of the city’s top attractions, largely thanks to the dozens of museums in the area. To learn about Charleston’s history and present, visit The Charleston Museum. Founded in 1773, this museum claims to be “American’s First Museum.” Inside, you’ll find a vast collection of South Carolina artifacts, Civil War-era weapons, and a genuine dinosaur skeleton.
Art lovers can pay a visit to the Gibbes Museum of Art or the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art. If you want to find out about the dark history of slavery in the region, visit the Old Slave Mart Museum, which occupies what was once a slave auction gallery.
Location: The Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
Open: Monday–Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday from noon to 5 pm
Phone: +1 843-722-2996
Museums
4. Fort Sumter
Learning about the American Civil War
Good for: Families, History, Photo
One of the most fascinating monuments near Charleston Harbor is Fort Sumter, a pivotal site in American history. This sea fort is renowned as the location where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired in 1861, when Confederate artillery opened fire on Union forces. The battle marked the beginning of a four-year war that would profoundly shape the USA.
Today, visitors can explore the well-preserved fort, view exhibits detailing the war’s history, and gain a deeper understanding of this critical period through guided tours and informative displays.
Fort Sumter
5. Charleston’s shopping venues
Stocking up on boutique goods, housewares, and clothes
Good for: Food, Shoppers
As the largest city in South Carolina, Charleston boast numerous shopping venues where locals and tourists can stock up on designer goods and sample the local seafood. At Northwoods Mall, you can visit almost 80 retailers that sell clothes, books, cosmetics, and much more.
If you’re looking for a more boutique shopping experience, head over to the House of Sage near King’s Street. Here, you’ll find a vast range of clothing for men and women, jewelry, and housewares. Despite being a fashionista’s paradise, the prices at House of Sage are fairly reasonable.
Charleston's shopping venues
6. Charleston Waterfront Park
Swinging benches and lit up fountains
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
Charleston Waterfront Park offers a serene escape with stunning harbor views and lush greenery. Located just a short stroll from the city center, this picturesque park is a perfect spot for relaxation and leisure. The iconic Pineapple Fountain is a must-see, symbolizing the city’s renowned hospitality. As you wander along the pier, enjoy the gentle sea breeze and panoramic vistas of the bustling harbor.
Old-fashioned park benches and the family-sized swinging benches at the pier make this a favorite for visitors of all ages. Children will delight in the splash pad and two large fountains, which light up spectacularly at night. For a peaceful experience, visit early in the morning to catch a glimpse of dolphins frolicking in the water.
Location: Vendue Range, Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Open: Monday–Saturday from 7 am to 9.30 pm, Sunday from 7.30 am to 10.30 pm
Charleston Waterfront Park
7. Frankie’s Fun Park
Go-karting, mini golf, and arcade games
Good for: Adventure, Families
Traveling with the family in Charleston is a breeze thanks to the city’s numerous amusement parks, including Frankie’s Fun Park. With thrilling go-kart tracks, stomach-turning rides, and an extensive range of retro and cutting-edge arcade games available, the kids will be kept entertained for hours at Frankie’s. There’s also a beautifully landscaped mini golf course and a grill restaurant that serves family favorites such as buffalo wings and hot dogs.
After Frankie’s, and if the kid’s fancy a dip during summer, the Splash Island Water Park is less than 12 miles (19 km) from Downtown Charleston.
Location: 5000 Ashley Phosphate Rd, North Charleston, SC 29418, USA
Open: Sunday–Friday from noon to midnight, Saturday from 10 am to midnight
Phone: +1 843-767-1376
Frankie’s Fun Park
8. Dock Street Theatre
This playhouse claims to be the first American theater
Good for: Couples, History, Nightlife
Dock Street Theatre was the first building designated for use as a playhouse in the original 13 colonies which declared independence from Britain in 1776. Located in Charleston’s historic French Quarter, the original structure was built in 1809 and then converted to a theater in 1935. Due to its historical significance, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
The façade was designed to resemble a London playhouse, making it worth a visit even if you don’t intend to watch a show. While most of the building looks just as it did when it was renovated in 1935, a recent revamp costing $19 million brought the interior into the 21st century.
Location: 135 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Phone: +1 843-577-7183
Dock Street Theatre
9. The Cocktail Club
Cocktails and draught beers in a prohibition-era venue
Good for: Couples, Nightlife
When it comes to nightlife, The Cocktail Club is a standout in Charleston, a city packed with bars, clubs, and live entertainment venues in its compact center. Whether you fancy a night of classy cocktails or a casual drink, you’ll find a wealth of options in South Carolina’s largest city.
One of the best ways to enjoy an evening out in Charleston is to head to a prohibition-era bar, also known as a “speakeasy.” At The Cocktail Club, you can drink imaginative cocktails made from rare spirits and freshly squeezed juices while admiring the décor that brings prohibition-era Charleston back to life.
Location: 479 King St, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 5 pm to 2 am (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +1 843-724-9411
The Cocktail Club
10. Southern cuisine
You can find lots of dishes with African and Caribbean influences
Good for: Couples, Families, Food
South Carolina is well known for its unique take on American Southern cuisine, which is infused with strong Caribbean and African influences. Given its proximity to the sea, you’ll not be surprised to find lots of seafood dishes on the menu at many of the restaurants in Charleston.
While you’re here, you can eat like a local by trying the delicious crab cakes, catfish stew, and shrimp kedgeree. Some of the area’s favorite side dishes include baked mac ‘n’ cheese and Charleston red rice, which is flavored with morsels of pork sausage and bacon. To combine great food with great views, try the Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar, a popular waterfront diner located on Concord Street.
Southern cuisine
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