Fun things to do in Charleston: 50 fun attractions and activities

Amazing aquarium. Beautiful tanks, informative talks, and tons of interactive exhibits. Staff were friendly and engaged very easily with children. Size and layout of aquarium made it easy to navigate. Clean restrooms and there is a stall designating a manual flush toilet. Extremely helpful if you have a child terrified of an automatic flush. There is also a nursing room and quiet corner area provided if needed. Great afternoon and glad our family decided to visit.

I recently visited the Charleston City Market during my trip to Charleston and really enjoyed the experience. The market is surprisingly long and filled with a wide variety of vendors. There’s just about anything you can think of for sale like local crafts, handmade goods, art, souvenirs, and more. It’s a great place to walk through, browse, and find something unique to take home.

Waterfront Park (Pineapple waterfront Park) located in Downtown is a beautiful and serene destination that perfectly combines natural beauty with peaceful urban escape. Located along the Charleston harbor, it offers breathtaking views of the water, especially during sunrise and sunset. The park is well-maintained with wide walking paths, tall palm trees, and inviting green lawns that make it ideal for both relaxation and light recreation. The iconic Pineapple Fountain is a favorite spot for visitors and a perfect backdrop for photos. Benches are placed throughout the park, allowing visitors to sit and enjoy the sea breeze and the sound of gently lapping waves. The pier with swinging benches adds a charming touch, and it’s a great place to unwind or have thoughtful conversations with friends or family. Families with kids will appreciate the open space and safe environment, while couples often stroll hand in hand along the waterfront. One of the best features is how welcoming and accessible the park is—it’s clean, pet-friendly, and just a short walk from downtown Charleston’s shops and restaurants. Whether you’re visiting for a short break or spending a whole afternoon, Waterfront Park offers a calm, scenic retreat that leaves you refreshed and inspired. Highly recommended!

Amazing museum. The price is worth the experience! The exhibits are very robust and diverse. All of them give amazing insight on the history of Charleston and surrounding areas. Highly recommend coming here and giving it a try! Maybe even consider a membership to support local organizations!

Simply Magical. The park was pretty much a dozen of trees and of course the main attraction, the Angel Oak. It only is breathtaking. Angel Oak was free to visit and free parking. There wasn’t a lot of parking, but we got lucky with parking on the road. It was very peaceful and not crowded when we were there. There are some portable toilets and a small gift shop. It’s definitely worth the trip.

This is the first spot we visited in Charleston, It didn’t disappoint! We opted for the House Tour and glad that we did. Our guide, Madison, was kind and knowledgeable. The property is vast and breathtaking at every angle. The gardens you could get lost in. (But pack bug spray!) The wildlife area and the cafe were both pleasant surprises. We appreciated the clean bathrooms and water refill station as we brought our own water bottle. The salve to freedom cabin tour guided by, John, was excellent. The passion he felt about the topic was expressive and nearly brought me to tears. I recommend coming to Magnolia!

Greatly enjoyed the ferry ride to and from the island, and of couse exploringthe island itself. It is a bit pricy but one has to take the ferry and historic site maintenance into account. All the staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful and had a sense of humor. Lots of cool history to see on the island itself,as well as seabirds and some cargo shipping going by. Some thought provoking exhibits in the visitor center as well. A nice, informative, relaxing excursion all round.

I was completely impressed by the value for the price of the tickets both for the general admission and the house tour. The grounds are not only gorgeous, but all the staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating. I spent the better part of a day there meandering through at my own pace. Will absolutely return whenever possible!

We took a quick walk downtown to the waterfront park and then walked around to get to Rainbow Row. Not the easiest to see if you just drive by because of the trees, so walking is really a must! There's street parking and some parking garages not too far and it's such a happy little place. We loved seeing it!

We visited Patriots Place on a Sunday, which happened to be Father's Day! I was expecting large crowds, but it's so big with so much to see that it didn't feel crowded at all. The ship is amazing. There were lots of captain staircases involved. They do have an elevator if you can not do them. However, it is small. In the Medal of Honor exhibit, there were a lot of interactive things for kids, like seeing how cold their metal cups would get overnight, seeing if you could do pull-ups and how heavy a rucksack felt. Off the boat, we saw two dolphins playing in the water, which enhanced the trip. My favorite part was surely the Vietnam War experience. Make sure you follow the wooden boardwalk and go into all the trailers to watch the videos (even kids will like them, i promise). I loved the hologram soldiers and how the trailer vibrated during the realistic war scenes. Staff were all helpful and friendly. They have plenty of bathrooms available on the main floor of the ship and some outside the gift shop. I was not prepared for the parking to be prepared, which I was a little disappointed by, but still a great trip nonetheless.

My kids ages 3-11 really enjoy this place! We typically stay for hours at a time. They just opened up a putt putt outside which kept my 11 and 5 yo boys entertained! We love the location and staff are always very friendly. We look forward to our next visit!

Beautiful space, wonderful exhibitions, right in the heart of Charleston. It was a surprise to discover that Sundays are free. The museum was lively with activity but didn’t feel crowded. Locals and tourists alike. Vibrant hands-on art creating for all ages. We got to chat with an artist in residence and enjoyed lunch from a great food truck right at the front steps.

Last while in South Carolina, visiting my son, we went to what he called Battery Park. It was a really nice breeze off the the day I think you call it. I couldn't stay there all day watching the birds nesting in the trees just Out Of Reach. Stop and talk to so many people about the birds and the area and it was just a lovely day

We spent a couple of fun hours at Drayton Hall. People visiting should be aware out that the hall is a preservation project and not a restoration, meaning there is no furniture within the hall. I have to say the grounds are stunning. The pictures do not do it justice!

Nice exhibit. I wish there were a few more facts about what really happened, or someone who worked there on both food to help interact with someone who is making up they own version of the story. It was disheartening to hear someone read part of the story and then make up the rest that was completely inaccurate. I even heard one parent tell his child that things happened but it wasn't really that bad. He even referred to slavery being similar to Gaza! Two completely different things. I loved that he was trying to educate his child but hated that he was that ignorant to see the difference.

Absolutely gorgeous! We loved it so much we came back two days in a row. My kids loved all of the animals. They were healthy and well taken care of. We were lucky enough to observe them being fed and a veterinarian checking on a recovering vulture. She was wonderful! The scenery was gorgeous. The history is fascinating. There is so much to see and do. We will definitely be coming back again. I have already referred friends to come visit with us next time and this will be one of our must see locations to bring visiting family! There are plenty of restrooms throughout and they are well maintained. They have picnic tables. Parking was convenient. My kids and I loved it!

INFORMATIVE AND HUMBLING. Great visit. Everyone was so friendly and professional and a warm welcome in the visitor center. MARK gave a great tour of the house and his wife HEATHER of life at the plantation. Please make time for the GULLAH talk. It’s truly humbling as the modern generation of the slaves that were abducted from Africa tell of the trip to the USA and how they settled in arduous conditions. The cafe staff were friendly and the pimento cheese sandwich was delicious. In summary, picturesque and great value.

Such a great historic house & garden tour! Beautiful restored walls & period furniture, cool archaeological dig in the former kitchen area. Highly recommend! We loved our docent tour.

We started our morning at the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon and caught the first dungeon tour of the day at 10:00 a.m. Touring the first floor beforehand gave us a great intro, but the dungeon tour really brought the history to life. Our guide was excellent, engaging, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the stories being told. Afterward, we bought the combo ticket, which was definitely the right call. It gave us access to the Old Slave Mart Museum just a few blocks away, and I’d highly recommend doing both if you're visiting. Before heading there, we explored the upper floor of the Exchange building, where we saw a lot of exhibits centered on the American Revolution. The displays were interactive and well presented, and yes, we even got to sign the Declaration of Independence. The museum gave us a clearer picture of Charleston’s role in the Revolutionary War, the development of the city, and the darker parts of its past. It was sobering but important. The walk over to the nearby public pier and Pineapple Fountain gave us a chance to process and reflect before continuing to the Slave Mart Museum. This was one of those experiences that blends beauty, history, and some very hard truths. It’s difficult to face certain chapters of our country’s past, but it’s necessary. If you're anywhere near downtown Charleston, make the time. Get the combo ticket. Learn, reflect, and walk away with a deeper understanding of where we've come from, and what we hope never to repeat.

Beautiful designed bridge that connects Charleston to Mt. Pleasant. There’s a walk path that goes the length of the bridge. Best part is no toll.

By far the best Fire Museum I've been to. I love the interactive exhibits, and the children's play area in the center. There are hands on displays that are very interactive. My favorite displays are the Snorkel and the interactive exhibits plus the pressurized hose display (what it's actually like to hold a pressurized hose line).

Fantastic and unique look at the past through the layers of history that one property has accumulated through the years. Self guided audio tour was great and the tour of the enslaved quarters was unlike any other historic home or plantation I've seen so far.

Just experienced this theater for the first time. I saw The Sound of Music which was fabulous! The set designs were amazing. I especially loved the night sky. The ability of the artists was way beyond my expectations. The music was excellent from the singers to the orchestra. The theater itself is historic and beautiful. You may want to bring a pillow to sit on as the seats get hard after a while.

Incredibly moving and powerful in the best and worst ways. This museum is an experience that stays with you long after you leave. It is emotional, raw, and captivating, shedding light on painful truths while also honoring resilience, creativity, and culture. Every exhibit feels thoughtfully curated to inform and educate, while also touching the heart. I walked away not only more knowledgeable, but deeply moved and inspired. The way they incorporated Charleston makes it hit even closer to home, serving as a reminder that this history isn’t distant but it’s right here in our own backyards today. My mother and grandmother joined me and took advantage of the genealogy room which is a phenomenal resource! A must-visit for anyone who values history, truth, and the strength of the human spirit.

If you’re interested in history and actually want to learn the full truth, visit here and take the tour. Not only was it interesting to learn how the slaves of McLeod Plantation lived, but also how their descendants have lived since then. It’s amazing and eye opening to learn of how recent the descendants were still living on the plantation and in what conditions. Visit and learn about the McLeod family and The Gullah. Our tour guide was a very nice and knowledgeable man. Suzanne was wonderful to speak with inside the home. Well worth the price of admission and the time. Tip…wear bug spray

A lot of history at the fort as well as the local area. Interesting display of cannons used at the Forch over the years. Park Ranger gave us some good information and some highlights about the park why we toured.

We have been here for a few events and this was our first concert here. Very, very well done. Excellent set up, lots of space, good food truck selection, a mister to cool off, a free water refill station, plenty of bathrooms (porta potties) and the parking was not an issue for us (we got there early enough to get a spot on site) and parking was free! I would absolutely, 100% go here for a concert again, an excellent place to see live music or for any other event. We do not drink alcohol so I cannot comment on that, but they did offer non alcoholic choices, which is great.

Capt. Ron and the Carolina Belle killed it! This tour was amazing! Capt Ron, a Navy man (but we won't hold that against him), did the best job narrating a tour of the harbor. He gave us all the history of the three forts in the harbor, history of the town, and a great pirate story! He made himself available for questions at any point and gave everyone on the boat time to take in the views too. Capt Ron even summoned some dolphins to entertain the kids at the bow on the way back into port. Capt Ron is a treasure to this tour and the Carolina Belle is a true southern Lady. Capt. Ron, thank you for your service

Did a 9 year old laser tag party and it was good. 1 hour laser tag, 30 min party with pizza. The "course" could be a bit more creative with different obstacles and structures. This was compensated by the "MC" who essentially runs the kids through different scenarios, games, and serves as referee. The laser guns are really cool and programmed remotely by the MC for the different games. It was very chill and a nice alternative to the trampoline places and arcades.

My husband enjoys escape rooms but this is the first one my son went to with him. They enjoyed the Davey Jones Locker theme room. Husband says it was quite challenging and entertaining!

We loved our Charleston Schooner Pride sunset sail! Amazing evening, the vessel and the crew were awesome. They made it so fun. Pleasant experience places to sit and enjoy lots of sailing and the views. Thank you Captain Dan and mate Ben

Celebrating 14 years in Charleston — well, well, well… what a unique experience! Last night we saw The Impossible Murder at Captain Jack’s Flapjack Shack this time, but it was so much fun seeing other audience members step outside themselves and become part of the mystery. Lots of laughs, lots of clapping — truly one-of-a-kind entertainment! Check out this super fun time!

Visited on May 2nd. They were very accommodating to our group, very knowledgeable and eager to answer many questions. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and seeing this incredible historic home.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Peaceful & Pristine Sullivan’s Island Beach! What a gem! Sullivan’s Island Beach quickly became one of our favorite beach spots since moving to the area. 🏖️ It’s beautifully maintained, clean, peaceful, and never overly crowded—exactly the kind of relaxing vibe we were looking for. There are no public restrooms, so plan accordingly, and definitely check ahead on their dog rules if you’re bringing your pup (they’re pretty specific depending on the time of year). Overall, a gorgeous beach with soft sand, calm waters, and just enough serenity to make you feel like you’ve found your own little slice of paradise. We’ll definitely be back! 🌊☀️🐾

Morris Island Lighthouse is absolutely beautiful. The graffiti walkway is interesting. The beach is unique with rocks and driftwood/trees. It was very peaceful. Parking isn't easy as there is no designated parking lot. You have to park along the road. It was pretty busy when I was there.

TL;DR: Highly recommend visiting the Heyward-Washington House. This beautifully preserved 18th-century home offers a self-paced audio tour in two versions—one focused on historical context and the other on the house and its artifacts. Plan for at least 45 minutes per tour, or 60–75 minutes if you listen to the optional extra content (worth it!). There is a great admission package that also includes entry to the Charleston Museum and the 19th-century Joseph Manigault House. I suggest visiting the Charleston Museum and Joseph Manigault House on the same day, and saving the Heyward-Washington House for another day to fully enjoy the experience. --- The Heyward-Washington House is a beautiful, history-rich 18th-century home with a remarkably immersive self-paced audio tour. The curators have done an outstanding job recreating the feel of the original space, including featuring one original piece of furniture that once belonged in the house. Visitors can choose between two themed audio tours: - History-focused tour – Provides deep historical context of the house, the people that lived there, and its era. - House/Artifacts-focused tour – Explores the building, furnishings, and material culture. A single tour takes a minimum of 45 minutes, not including the optional extra tidbits that you can select from. These bonus stories and details are highly engaging and well worth the time, adding about 15–30 minutes. Unfortunately, I only had time for one tour, but would gladly return to do the other. Estimated Time Commitments: - One audio tour: ~45 minutes - One audio tour + most/all extra tidbits: ~60–75 minutes - Two tours: roughly double the above times Pricing & Ticket Value: The ticket can be purchased as part of a package deal granting access to three historic sites: the Charleston Museum, the Heyward-Washington House (18th century), and the Joseph Manigault House (19th century). The flexibility to visit on separate days makes it easy to plan. For the best experience, I recommend visiting the Charleston Museum and Joseph Manigault House on the same day, and dedicating another day to the Heyward-Washington House so you can explore without feeling rushed.

Important parts of history are preserved here. The rangers are very knowledgeable and friendly and the 17 minute movie was interesting. There are nice short trails and it’s quite a learning experience. I’m glad I stopped!

Somehow, in all the time we've spent in Charleston, we'd missed this little jewel of a museum until today. It's all that remains above-ground of the old walled city, and it seems to have retained a self-sustaining pocket of that ancient atmosphere. This is one of those locations throughout the city which succeed at sucking you briefly out of modernity and depositing you in another kind of time; when you emerge back onto the street, you find the place you've been walking around in-- and perhaps yourself-- recontextualized. I really recommend pairing this experience with a drive out to Colonial Dorchester for an immersive walk around the grounds and an up-close look at the tabby (oyster shell concrete) fort. The two locations are really cross-informative of one another. Admission is cheap, and it's clear that it goes right into upkeep, as the place is immaculate. My daughter and I especially enjoyed The Graces, a Colonial era game in which a small hoop is tossed and caught by way of two pairs of sticks. The period music really enhanced it. We had a blast. I'm thinking of making a set for picnics and stuff.

Gorgeous beach. Nice and clean. I didn't park at the $15 lot with the restrooms, playground, and restaurant. I just went down the same street and found a small free public lot between 2 beachfront houses. It had a boardwalk over the dunes to the beach. Definitely consider taking some shade, a cooler, a beach blanket/mat and sunscreen bc once you see and hear the waves crashing, taste the salt air, and get your feet in the ocean you won't want to leave.

A highlight of our Charleston visit. Free to visit and admire the wonders of modern artists with an international and native points of perception. Also, to learn about every aspect of creativity in the dedicated library. Left inspired and grateful to diversity of self-expression. Highly recommend.