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Top 6 Things to Do in Charleston

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If you tell someone you’re visiting Charleston who’s been here before, then they’re more than likely going to tell you what you must see or do. Of course it all depends upon what your current situation is. Do you have kids? What’s your ideal for a great vacation? Active, on the go, relaxing or a combination of both? Here are few favorites that suit any style of visitor:

1) Experience Charleston’s History

To experience the history of Charleston a single dollar doesn’t need to leave your pocket or purse. Walk in an area that is referred to as the Historic District or “South of Broad,” which when looking on a map of downtown is literally …. you guessed it. This is where the Battery and all of the ridiculously large and opulent mansions, homes, gardens and flora are located. The Battery is lined by the harbor and provides some great photo opportunities. The following streets should be walked in the South of Broad area: East Bay Street, Meeting Street, Murray Boulevard and everything in between. Here’s a printable map for downtown Charleston.

If you’d like a take-it-easy, fun and informative way to do this then a horse-drawn carriage from Palmetto Carriage is recommended. A walking tour of the historic district is also a great way to go as well. Carriage and walking tours are nice if you’d like to learn the history and not just see it. There’s also a self-guided Charleston walking tour which many enjoy.

Here’s a printable map of downtown Charleston. 

2) Go to the Beach

There are a number of public beaches located in and around the city – Folly, Isle of Palms and Sullivans Island. All three beaches are equal driving time from downtown Charleston (about 15 minutes).

Folly is more laid-back (the only beach where drinking alcohol is permitted in plastic cups) and has a great atmosphere and large fishing pier.

The Isle of Palms is the most commercialized of all the beaches, but it’s nothing like you’d experience at Ocean City for instance, and has received awards for beach cleanliness.

Sullivan’s Island is very natural and is frequently by a mix of locals and visitors. No alcohol is allowed and there are no public restrooms which can pose a problem if you have children.

3) Get on the Water

The harbor and ocean are a vital part of what makes the city so great. Plan a trip on the water whether it’s a guided fishing charter, touring charter, harbor cruise, kayak tour or nature tour. Check out our list of Charleston water tour companies.

4) Where to Feed Your Face

Charleston food has a distinctive flavor, such as the famous shrimp and grits, but the fantastic local chefs have been putting their own spin on the traditional. For great casual and seafood dining in Charleston there’s Gilligan’s and the Crab House on Market Street or Hyman’s Seafood on Meeting Street.

If you’d like to visit some higher-end restaurants, check out Cru Cafe on Pinckney Street, Husk on Queen Street, 82 Queen on, well, Queen Street, Cypress on East Bay Street, Grill 225 on North Market Street, Charleston Grill at Charleston Place, Hall’s Chophouse on King Street or Circa 1886 adjacent to the Wentworth Mansion.

5) Shopping at It’s Finest

If shopping is a must-do for your vacation, you’ve come to the right place. Start on King Street and work your way either up or down the street for a full shopping experience. King Street shopping has three distinct areas. Upper King is located north of Calhoun Street and is also referred to as the “Design District.” Middle or Central King is between Calhoun and Market streets. This is where the bulk of shopping can be done with everything from posh boutiques, unique items, art galleries and more. Lower King is referred to as the “Antiques District” and extends from Market Street to Broad Street.

The historic Market area is also very popular and has an open air market with retail shops of all kinds lining both sides.

Beyond downtown, you’ll find Tanger Outlets in North Charleston and Towne Centre in Mount Pleasant Towne Centre – both of which are worth the trip.

Check out our Charleston shopping guide.

Drayton Hall

6) Visit a Charleston Area Plantation

There are four plantations surrounding the area. Three of them are located on Ashley River Road (Highway 61) about 15 minutes driving time from downtown: Drayton Hall, Middleton Place and Magnolia Plantation. Boone Hall Plantation is located about the same driving distance and is on Longpoint Road in Mount Pleasant.

The Charleston Tea Plantation, which is a good 30-minute drive out to Wadmalaw Island, is a major draw for visitors as well.

Check out this guide to Charleston’s plantations. 

There’s an endless array of things to do in Charleston that are all top rated. It would be impossible to list them all but this “Top 6” list is a great start and will give visitors a taste of what Charleston and the Lowcountry are all about.

Have anything to add to this list? Please add them by commenting below.

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Charleston FAQ's

Choosing a hotel and where to stay in Charleston all depends on your budget and goals. Do you want to stay Downtown, at the beach or in the outer areas such as North Charleston where you have to drive to get everywhere? For more help on deciding: https://travelerofcharleston.com/articles/hotels/

Charleston has 3 main public beaches which are: Folly, Isle of Palms and Sullivans. Each beach has it’s own atmosphere. The most common beach that people visit is Folly Beach and then Isle of Palms followed by Sullivans Island. For more info on Charleston’s beaches visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/guide-charlestons-beaches/

Charleston, SC is full of historical things to do. Everything from museums, to public sites and free landmark sites such as Rainbow Row and the Battery can be seen. For more info on Charleston’s top historical sites visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/places-to-learn-about-charleston-sc-history/

There are many things that will keep the kids and family entertained and educated in Charleston. There are historic sites such as Fort Sumter, a Children’s Museum, Aquarium and the USS Yorktown…a WWII era aircraft carrier you can tour. For more info visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-family-fun-activities/

There’s so many  things you could do in Charleston it can be overwhelming. We recommend that first time visitors, checkout the ultimate first-time visitor guide here: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-first-time-visitors-guide/

Spring in Charleston, SC is an amazing time of year to visit. The flowers are blooming and the weather is mild and sunny. For more info, check-out our spring guide to Charleston here: https://travelerofcharleston.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-springtime-in-charleston/

Summer in Charleston is a great time to visit. There’s plenty of things to keep you busy and visiting the beach will probably….or should be on your short-list. Also water-based activities and tours are popular. Checkout this summer guide to Charleston for more info: 

Our 10 Favorite Summer Activities in Charleston

Fall is one of the best times to visit. The weather cools down a bit and the skies are typically blue and clear. In addition there are many great events, festivals and the large crowds of summer have gone back to school or work. For more info on visiting in the fall, checkout this article: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-12-things-to-do-fall/

There are so many great things to do that it’s difficult to narrow the list down. This article does a great job with figuring out the must do things to do in Charleston

7 Can’t Miss Reasons to Visit Charleston, SC Now

The consensus is a minimum of 3-days is needed to settle in and experience Charleston. For instance, many people take 2 days exploring downtown and another day visiting sites outside of downtown such as the plantations, Angel Oak Tree or beaches. Checkout this page for a list of tours and attractions: 

Charleston’s Top Tours & Attractions | Things to do

Downtown Charleston was made for walking and for sure one of the best way to soak up and experience the history first-hand. This article goes over getting around Charleston with and without a car as well: 

Getting Around Charleston, SC

We’re of course partial to Charleston, but here’s the truth. There are many similarities however there are some differences in our opinion: 

  • Both cities are historic and beautiful. 
  • Both cities are extremely walkable. Savannah, with it’s park-like squares maybe more walkable than Charleston. 
  • Charleston has a more established and food scene with many more options. 
  • Charleston has better hotels and shopping.
  • Both cities have equally good tours.
  • Charleston has better beach options. Savannah has Tybee which is great, however it’s 1 beach vibe versus Charleston which has 3 beaches with different vibes. Checkout this Charleston beach guide article: https://travelerofcharleston.com/guide-charlestons-beaches/
  • In Savannah you can walk with alcoholic beverages on the street. This is not allowed in Charleston. This can be good or bad depending on your stance. 
  • Savannah is more affordable.
  • TourPass offers all-inclusive passes in both cities: https://tourpass.com

There are always great and world-class events happening in Charleston. For a calendar of events and things to do in Charleston, checkout our online calendar of events: https://travelerofcharleston.com/events/

Of course there are free money-saving coupons that you can use. Visit the coupons page for a bunch of ways to save: https://travelerofcharleston.com/coupon/

Charleston has some fantastic can’t miss tours such as Fort Sumter, carriage, ghost, harbor, historic and culinary tours. For a full list with more info visit: https://travelerofcharleston.com/attractions/

Checkout the Charleston Relocation Guide page which will guide you during your move: https://travelerofcharleston.com/charleston-sc-relocation-guide/

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