Things to do in  Charleston

Smack in the middle of historic Charleston, the Charleston City Market is a must-see landmark for Holy City visitors. In addition to being one of the most popular historic attractions in town, the City Market—which opened in the 1790s—is also one of the oldest continuously operating public markets in the United States. Today, shoppers can browse stands featuring the work of local chefs, artists, and craftspeople, including handmade sweetgrass baskets, a unique Gullah handicraft.

No trip to Charleston is complete without visiting the Battery. This public promenade wraps around the southern tip of the Charleston peninsula and packs in some of the city’s greatest hits: colorful historical mansions, moss-draped oaks, and waterfront views—it’s a quintessential Holy City combination. The adjacent White Point Garden is lined with trees and gazebos for a pleasant stop in the shade.

Fort Sumter National Monument is famed for being the site where the Civil War began, and today is a top attraction off the coast of Charleston. The sea fort retains much of its original stone structure, plus a few lodged cannonballs, letting visitors experience a piece of US history firsthand. The Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center provides historical context and harbor views while you wait to board your ferry.

The white steeple of St. Michael’s Church towers above Charleston, guiding visitors to the site of the city’s oldest church. While a still-functioning place of worship, this church is also notable as an architectural landmark with its Tiffany stained-glass windows and an original organ dating back to 1768. Services are held on Sundays, and access to the building for tourists is limited during times of worship.

At 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) long, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge is one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the United States. It connects downtown Charleston to the city of Mount Pleasant and the beaches beyond, plus it provides bike and pedestrian paths that lead to unobstructed views of Charleston Harbor and the city skyline.

The Old Exchange is one of the oldest structures in Charleston, a famous city landmark, and one of the most historically significant buildings in the United States. Once the site of important political events, the building is now open to the public for fascinating tours, including a walk-through of its haunted Provost Dungeon.

Rainbow Row’s cluster of pastel-hued townhomes is one of the most photographed spots in historic Charleston. The 13 colorful Georgian row houses along East Bay Street date back to the 1700s, when they were built as residences and commercial spaces; they were restored in the early 20th century. A must-see for architecture lovers and first-time visitors, this designated historic landmark is made up of private residences that can only be admired from the outside.

Waterfront porch swings, a giant pineapple fountain, and grassy areas perfect for lazing the day away make Waterfront Park feel like Charleston’s personal backyard. Watch the boats float by on the river, snap photos, and enjoy the park’s family-friendly amenities—they keep this park a favorite hangout spot for locals and visitors alike.

Located in the historic French Quarter, St. Philip’s Church is home to Charleston’s oldest congregation and was the first Anglican church established south of Virginia. A National Historic Landmark, the beautiful stuccoed brick building features an impressive steeple, three Tuscan porticoes, and Corinthian columns.

Founded in 1681 by an eclectic group of English Congregationalists, Scots Presbyterians, and French Huguenots, the Circular Congregational Church of Charleston is the oldest, continuously-operating house of worship in the United States. The unique meeting hall was designed and built in a circular shape to reflect the spaces’ open and free-flowing exchange of ideas.

History, nature, and horticulture meet at the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. Set on the banks of the Ashley River in North Charleston, South Carolina, the former residence of the Drayton Family has a 350-year history that intersects with the Civil War and the devastating realities of American slavery. The historic site also features a Wildlife Center, gardens, and protected wetlands.

The two-story brick Heyward-Washington House takes its name from its original owner, Thomas Heyward Jr., whose signature appears on the Declaration of Independence, and George Washington, who stayed at the home in 1791. The Georgian-style double house offers a veritable portal into 1700s Charleston.

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum is an unmatched destination for exploring America’s military presence at sea. Climb aboard the USS Yorktown (an aircraft carrier) and the USS Laffey (a destroyer) as you learn about US naval and maritime history firsthand. Additional exhibits include the immersive Vietnam Experience Exhibit and the Medal of Honor Museum. Located in the beautiful Charleston Harbor, the museum offers hands-on learning for all ages.

The 65-acre (26-hectare) Middleton Place is a former rice plantation along the Ashley River. Visitors to this National Historic Landmark home—built in 1755 by the father of Arthur Middleton, who signed the Declaration of Independence—can explore the Middleton Place house, landscaped gardens, and the stable yards, where staff dressed in period clothing demonstrate weaving, blacksmithing, carpentry, and more.

Charleston’s historic Aiken-Rhett House offers a rare glimpse into antebellum plantation life in South Carolina. The only surviving urban plantation, the 1818 townhouse complex remains largely intact, its rooms decorated with original wallpaper, fine art, and antique furnishings purchased by the owners more than 150 years ago.