Charleston is one of the finest locations to visit in the American South due to its rich history, culture, cuisine, and hospitable citizens. Charleston, South Carolina offers so many beautiful activities that you will fall in love with this city. Completely!
I fell deeply for Charleston. Even today, Charleston‘s stunning architecture, charming waterfront, delectable Lowcountry cuisine, and an endless list of enjoyable things to do continue to draw me back to the city. I would enjoy spending a long weekend in Charleston, South Carolina, exploring the city’s top attractions and finest places to go. I am confident that you are also looking forward to doing that.
This post contains all the information you need to plan a journey to this coastal city, including a list of the best things to do in Charleston, SC, as well as the best places to stay, excursions, and restaurants.
Proceed along Battery
Walking along the Battery is one of my favourite activities to do in Charleston. The Battery, a beautiful promenade that separates the ocean from the land, is a breathtaking location.
The Battery, which was once a defensive fortification, is now a promenade where you can enjoy the evening air and a breathtaking sunset. Not to mention the magnificent Charleston architecture, horse-drawn carriages, and countless Instagram-worthy photo opportunities.
Unwind in Waterfront Park
This was the highlight of the journey for me. I could lean back and rest in Charleston‘s waterfront park while my child played in the cool waters of the Pineapple Fountain.
The Waterfront Park is a sizable park located in downtown Charleston along the Cooper River. You can take a meander through the gardens, stroll along the esplanade, or spend some time at one of the numerous fountains.
Do not neglect to conclude your stroll with a treat from Belgian Gelato, which is directly across the street. It is one of my fave restaurants for desserts and crepes.
The Nathaniel Russel House should be visited
In the late 18th century, Nathaniel Russel, a prosperous merchant and slave trader, arrived in Charleston.
His extravagant new home, the Nathaniel Russel House, is one of the most beautiful neoclassical homes in the southern United States, despite its walls concealing years of labor by slaves – the unsung heroes.
Admire the intricate plasterwork, geometrically shaped chambers, three-story staircase, and well-designed gardens on a tour of this historic residence. Here you can purchase tickets.
You can also combine your visit with a visit to the Aiken-Rhett House Museum, an additional magnificent antebellum mansion in the city.
Explore the French Quarter of Charleston
If you desire a romantic, languid stroll in Charleston, you should visit the picturesque French Quarter.
This area was once home to French Huguenots who fled religious persecution by migrating here; it is now filled with beautiful historic churches and numerous art galleries.
Visit landmarks like the Doc Street Theater and St. Philip’s Episcopal chapels. Purchase excellent works of art to bring back home. Dine at one of the many exquisite dining restaurants in Charleston. Or, you can stay at The French Quarter Inn and experience southern hospitality at its finest.
Make the effort to see Rainbow Row
In close proximity to the Waterfront Park, along the Battery, is a series of thirteen brightly coloured dwellings known as the Rainbow series.
If you want to take some interesting photographs, you must visit this location. These pastel-coloured homes provide the ideal backdrop for Instagram-worthy photographs.
Additionally, there is a fascinating heritage
These homes were not always so flamboyant and vibrant. At the conclusion of the Civil War, the Rainbow Row houses, which were built around 1740 and had long served as merchant shops and residences, bore a desolate appearance.
Dorothy Porcher Legge purchased this home and decided to paint it a hue of pink. Her acquaintances imitated her actions. And the remainder is Rainbow Row!
Visit one of Charleston’s renowned institutions
Contrary to popular belief, Charleston is not solely comprised of beaches and the waterfront. It is home to authentic Lowcountry culture as well as a number of remarkable art museums.
Explore the finest of Charleston by visiting the museums listed below.
The Charleston Museum is among the nation’s earliest. including the Lowcountry History Hall, The Armory, History Textiles, Charleston Silver, and Bunting Natural History Gallery.
The Gibbes institution of Art is another fascinating institution where you can learn about Charleston‘s history. Their permanent collections include miniature portraits, paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries, and the
Charleston Renaissance.
Explore additional history at Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon
The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, a historic structure in Charleston, served as a prison during the American Revolution. It served as a customs house, a public market, and a gathering place, among other functions.
In 1973, the building was designated a National Historic Landmark.
You can take a self-guided tour of the historical exhibits on the upper two floors, as well as a guided tour of the Provost Dungeon on the subterranean level.
Take a tour of downtown Charleston by carriage
One of my favorite activities in Charleston is a guided carriage excursion of the historical district.
From the convenience of your carriage, the views of the mansions, cathedrals, and gardens are incredible. Learn everything about the history, architecture, and people that gave the Holy City its distinctive character.
Explore downtown Charleston
If horse-drawn carriages are not your style, then take a pedestrian tour of downtown Charleston’s historic lanes.
During this 2-hour Historic Charleston Guided Walking Tour, you will visit the White Point Garden, Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, and City Hall, among other points of interest.
A haunted excursion will allow you to experience the paranormal.
It is not uncommon to join a haunted excursion in the South. And Charleston’s ghost excursions are notoriously spooky.
Take a tour of Charleston Harbor
Enjoy a delightful excursion of Charleston’s harbor aboard the Carolina Belle Ferry. Tours typically last one and a half hours and feature close-up views of several historical landmarks, including Fort Sumter, accompanied by detailed narration.
Enjoy a culinary and beverage excursion of Charleston
You can’t depart Charleston without sampling some delectable southern cuisine. Lowcountry cuisine is one of the reasons I frequently return to the southern United States.
Visit Charleston’s Tea Garden
Are you a tea lover? Then you must visit the Charleston Tea Garden, located approximately 20 miles south of Charleston on Wadmalaw Island.
This is the only tea garden in North America with an endless view of tea bushes, a genuinely distinctive experience on the continent.
Please note that there is no admission fee. You only pay for their trolley excursion, which is undoubtedly one of the highlights.
Time well spent at the South Carolina Aquarium
If you are searching for kid-friendly activities in Charleston, visit South Carolina Aquarium.
This location, which overlooks Charleston Harbor, encourages visitors to interact with marine creatures and learn how to care for them.
Explore one of Charleston’s celebrated plantations
Interested in learning about southern history? Visit one of Charleston’s numerous historic plantations to learn about the pre-Civil War period.
There are numerous plantations in the area that are readily accessible as day excursions from Charleston. Boone Hall, Middleton Place, Magnolia Plantation, and Drayton Hall are among the most popular. Additionally, you can visit Charles Pinckney’s Snee Farm for gratis.
The majority of these plantations employed slave labor to cultivate indigo, maize, and cotton. Even though slavery has been abolished, these estates are excellent sites to study this period in American history.
Explore the Angel Oak
The Angel Oak on John’s Island, estimated to be over 400 years old, is one of the oldest and most magnificent live oaks in the southern United States. With its expansive canopy, it is not only a natural marvel but also an excellent photographic opportunity.
In addition, the Angel Oak has existed for a very long time. It has witnessed both the greatest and worst moments in American history.
Obviously, the tree has significant cultural significance. According to local legends, the spirits of former slaves continue to visit the tree as angels.
Experience Gullah-Geecee culture
When in the American South, one must experience the gorgeous Gullah-Geecee culture. The first time I encountered it was in Savannah, Georgia, and it was exceptional.
The Gullah-Geecee, who were often secluded on islands and coastal plantations as enslaved Africans, developed their own distinct culture. They had their own cuisine, artwork, customs, and even language.
Did you realize that sweetgrass baskets are one of the most prominent forms of Gullah art?
The Gullah tour in Charleston takes visitors to several historic sites, including the Slave & Free Blacks Cemetery at Bethel United Church, the Old Jail, and the Philip Simmons House. Also, remember to purchase a sweetgrass basket from the Charleston City Market.
Drive to the magnificent Cypress Gardens to spend the day strolling through the gardens and paddling through the marshes.
Remember the romantic scene from The Notebook where Noah and Allie are out on a lake in a rowboat surrounded by hundreds of geese? This scene was filmed in Cypress Gardens.
Even though the geese are no longer present (they were only brought in for the film), it is still possible to take a swamp canoe excursion, visit the Butterfly House, and view various seasonal flowers.
Visit Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter is an island fort located off Charleston’s coast. It played a significant role in the American Civil War and is therefore a fascinating stop on the itinerary of every visitor to Charleston.
Today, the National Park Service manages Fort Sumter, which has a modest museum that does an excellent job of relating the fort’s history.
There are also numerous cannons on the grounds. However, they cannot be climbed upon. When you are here, take the opportunity to explore the grounds and appreciate the sea breeze.