Best places to visit in Charleston: top attractions you don't want to miss

Beloved for its colorful downtown, richly historic streets, and attractions bursting with Southern spirit, Charleston makes for a delightful city break. Its center is packed with history and culture, from its museums to a stellar dining scene. You're also a stone's throw from the coast, which boasts impressive beaches, trails, and boat excursions. If you're looking for the best tourist attractions in Charleston, this list details the top sights.

Choose from family-friendly activities to enjoy with your children, or opt for artistic destinations that have put Charleston on the cultural map. You'll get a heartwarming dose of South Carolina charm.

Best places to visit in Charleston for history

1. Joseph Manigault House

Built in the Neoclassical Adam style in 1803, this historic house was saved from ruin in the early twentieth century. It offers a time capsule of Charleston's opulent but slave-driven Antebellum Period.

Highlights:

Explore the city's past with a city tour and visit to the restored Joseph Manigault House. You'll take a journey through 300 years of Southern history, visiting key places in the city’s story and, and get a look at the mansion's period features and interiors.

Address and opening hours:

350 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403. Open Monday-Saturday, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Open from noon on Sundays.

2. Old Town

Get a sense of downtown Charleston with the clip-clop of a horse-drawn carriage. The entire Old Town feels like one big museum with well-preserved shopfronts, homes, and gardens.

Highlights:

Book your historical downtown tour by horse-drawn carriage with live commentary from your guide. You'll take in top sites like Charleston Harbor, Charleston Battery, and the Old City Market as you travel in style.

Address and opening hours:

14 Anson St, Charleston, SC 29401. Tours are available daily from 9:00 AM.

3. St. Michael's Anglican Church

This is the oldest-surviving religious building in Charleston. Built in the 1750s, it boasts a Georgian style influenced by London's iconic St Martin-in-the-Fields.

Highlights:

Centrally placed and ideally visited during a audio-guided walking tour, St. Michael's Anglican Church is freely open to all. Highlights include a cedar pew used by George Washington and a nearby churchyard that's home to historic figures.

Address and opening hours:

71 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401. Church and yard open from Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM. Saturday openings from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Sunday services at 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM, and 6:00 PM.

4. Boone Hall

Charleston was a center of the transatlantic slave trade and its brutal plantation system. Boone Hall Plantation was founded in 1681 and boasts some excellent exhibits on the conditions of slavery in South Carolina.

Highlights:

Explore the grounds of the house and its slave quarters with a Boone Hall and historic city tour combo, including transportation. Learn about the Gullah Culture of plantation slaves and stroll the rose-studded garden.

Address and opening hours:

1235 Long Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464. Open Monday-Saturday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. Sunday openings from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

5. Provost Dungeon

Learn all about Charleston's grisly history with a tour of the city's historic district by night. Get a deep dive into Charleston's ghostly goings-on as you visit the historic Provost Dungeon.

Highlights:

Get a ticket for a ghost and dungeon walking tour. Your guide will take you through the back alleys of the Holy City, where you'll learn spine-chilling tales about the slave trade, revolution, and colonial past.

Address and opening hours:

20 Anson St, Charleston, SC 29401. Tour times and dates vary, with options from 7:00 PM or 9:00 PM.

Best places to visit in Charleston for art

6. Philip Simmons House

Philip Simmons designed many iron gates that can be visited around Charleston. A legend of local blacksmithing, he began his career in the 1930s and was considered an important artist of his craft by the time he retired in the 1980s.

Highlights:

Book the African-American history tour for an epic tour Charleston's Black history and a look inside the Philip Simmons House. The house contains works by Simmons, and you can tour his former workshop where he created his metal masterpieces.

Address and opening hours:

30 1/2 Blake St, Charleston, SC 29403. Open daily, 11:00 AM-5:00 PM.

7. Gibbes Museum of Art

Charleston's premier art space has an illustrious history dating from 1858. Its present space is a Beaux-Arts gallery from 1905 that contains classic collections of fine art.

Highlights:

The Gibbes Museum of Art has a rotating collection of work, from permanent local masterpieces to cutting-edge contemporary displays. Highlights include photography from the Great Depression and art by locals like Henrietta Johnston, Mary Roberts, and Charles Fraser.

Address and opening hours:

135 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401. Open daily, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM.

8. Harleston Village

This gorgeous neighborhood dotted where Georgian and Italian-style buildings line the tree-lined streets has a friendly feel that somehow keeps its distance from traffic and tourists despite its central location. You can visit it as you learn about Charleston's "Old Maids," female activists, and madams who played a crucial role in shaping the city's history on the Strong Women of the South history tour.

Highlights:

You'll get a tour of iconic sights across Charleston, where you'll learn about local artisans and artists as well as the most famous (and infamous) female figures in the city’s history.

Address and opening hours:

21 Magazine St, Charleston, SC 29401. Tour times and dates vary.

9. Robert Lange Studios

This airy contemporary gallery in Charleston's hip French Quarter hosts a wide range of exciting exhibitions.

Highlights:

You can browse the latest exhibits at Robert Lange Studios and admire its carefree, hands-on displays. This is also a studio space where Robert and artistic residents work.

Address and opening hours:

2 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401. Open daily, 11:00 AM-5:00 PM. Evening events are also hosted.

10. George Gallery

The George Gallery is a local favorite showcasing local and East Coast artists with an abstract edge. It makes for an inspirational detour as you explore the French Quarter and Washington Square.

Highlights:

Explore the latest works by hand-selected American and European artists at the George Gallery. There's a wide range of exciting works on sale covering painting, sculpture, photography, and beyond.

Address and opening hours:

54 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29401. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 11:00 AM-5:00 PM.

Best places to visit in Charleston for families

11. Folly Beach

Animal-loving families will adore heading out into the creeks of Folly Beach. You can spot Atlantic bottle-nose dolphins and learn all about the coastal ecosystem.

Highlights:

Book the Folly Island boat tour to navigate Charleston's epic coastal scenery in search for dolphins. You can go fossil hunting on Morris Island and watch a magical sunset as you return to land.

Address and opening hours:

87 Center St, Folly Beach, SC 29439. Tour times and dates vary.

12. Isle of Palms

Charleston is surrounded by epic beachside scenery for a fun day out by the sea. Build sandcastles, spot turtles, or enjoy family-friendly sports under the sun.

Highlights:

Charleston is spoiled for beaches, but families will do well at the Isle of Palms. This pretty barrier island is home to a well-serviced waterfront with lifeguards, sports courts, and epic country trails.

Address and opening hours:

Isle of Palms, South Carolina. Open all year round, 24/7.

13. Fort Sumter National Monument

Perfect for history buffs and fans of forts and battlements, Fort Sumter played a critical role as the first battle site of the Civil War.

Highlights:

Get a ticket to Fort Sumter that includes the ferry crossing. Once on site, kids can complete the Junior Ranger test for a badge and explore the site's canons, ruins, and embrasures.

Address and opening hours:

South Carolina 29412. Open daily, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

14. Charleston Harbor

Hop on board a sightseeing cruise in Charleston Harbor for a different view of the city. You'll navigate military forts and batteries like Fort Sumter as you learn about the city's maritime past and present.

Highlights:

This Charleston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise Tour passes beneath Ravenel Bridge and Castle Pinckney. Live narration is provided throughout, where you'll learn interesting tales about famed townspeople and events.

Address and opening hours:

Departure points vary. Times and dates also vary.

15. White Point Garden

Charleston's White Point Garden is known locally as the Battery. Made up of an eye-catching seawall with views across to Fort Sumter, it's a fine place to picnic.

Highlights:

Explore the park's highlights, including an artillery battery first built in 1735. Pretend to fire canons or wave at the passing cruise boats along the harbor.

Address and opening hours:

2 Murray Blvd, Charleston, SC 29401. Open daily, 7:00 AM-9:30 PM.

Best places to visit in Charleston for culture

16. Charleston Museum

Founded in 1773 and accessible to the public from 1824, the Charleston Museum is believed to be the oldest museum in the US. A treasure trove of decorative arts, historic artifacts, and furniture, it offers a deep dive into Charleston's cultural heritage with displays of its industries, from textiles to ceramics.

Highlights:

Get access to the Charleston Museum with a Charleston city tour and museum combo ticket. You'll learn about the Old Town first before exploring the museum's historic collections.

Address and opening hours:

360 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403. The museum is open Monday-Saturday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, and Sundays, 12:00 PM-5:00 PM.

17. Historic Charleston City Market

Learn the secrets of Southern flavors with a tour of Charleston's best dining spots. Start at the epicenter, Historic Charleston City Market, and take a walk through the best stalls, street vendors, and restaurants to learn what makes a South Carolinian's mouth water.

Highlights:

You'll get to see and taste the best dishes in Charleston on a 3-hour secret food tour off the tourist trail with an expert guide. Enjoy local highlights like she-crab soup, okra, shrimp, and South Carolina barbecue.

Address and opening hours:

99 S Market St, Charleston, SC 29401. Tour times and dates vary for late morning or afternoon starts.

18. Old Slave Mart Museum

Tucked away along tidal islands and marshes, the Gullah culture preserved itself for over a century. Modern Gullah trace their ancestry back to Sierra Leone and boast a unique post-slavery folk culture that melds African and American traditions. The best way to learn about the Gullah in Charleston is on an African-American history walking tour.

Highlights:

Learn about the city's links with slavery and Gullah culture, including a visit to the Old Slave Market — a sobering reminder of the past, but with a chance to see the spirit, arts, and culture that persisted through those troubling times.

Address and opening hours:

142 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401. Tour times and dates vary.

19. French Quarter

Charleston's thriving drinking scene includes everything from centuries-old drinking joints to contemporary craft brews. Drink your way through the French Quarter and the city's hip and popular bars.

Highlights:

Set off on a walking tour of Charleston's history and bars to learn about historic periods like Prohibition in South Carolina. Your guide is at hand to recount local tales and details of Charleston's favorite tipples.

Address and opening hours:

35 S Market St, Charleston, SC 29401. Tour times and dates vary.

20. Shem Creek

Shem Creek has played a vital role in Charleston's shrimp industry. Home to old-school fishing settlements, this is where South Carolina delicacies like blue crab are caught.

Highlights:

Get an up-close Shem Creek culture tour to see its seafood markets and shrimp processing facilities. You'll learn all about the creek's ecosystem and culture with some tasty treats along the way.

Address and opening hours:

111 Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464. Tour times and dates vary.

FAQs

How many days should I spend in Charleston?

Visitors should spend at least two days exploring Charleston. A long weekend offers opportunities to visit the central highlights, take a cruise to Fort Sumter, and explore a plantation attraction nearby. Longer stays will offer a deeper understanding of South Carolina's coastal landscapes and opportunities to taste your way through Charleston's culinary scene.

What is the best time of year to visit Charleston?

Charleston is a treat to explore all year round, with cooler temperatures in winter that still reach 60°F. For beach trips, the summer season offers sweltering weather and coastal cocktail bars. The most popular periods to travel are spring and autumn, as the weather is pleasant and both farmer's markets and festivals are in full swing.

How do I get around Charleston?

Charleston's downtown center is compact and easy to navigate on foot, with plenty of pedestrianized areas. For those exploring the coast and the surroundings, DASH shuttle buses connect downtown with popular tourist spots. Cars are a great idea for those exploring the Lowcountry but should be parked throughout your travels downtown to avoid congestion.

What are the best neighborhoods to visit in Charleston?

Downtown Charleston has the most to offer visitors. Many attractions line South of Broad, including Battery Park and Rainbow Row. The French Quarter is another historic highlight dating back centuries and is lined with bustling shops and attractions.

What are the best places to go shopping in Charleston?

King Street is Charleston's mecca for street shopping, boasting high-end brands and local Southern specialties. It's divided into several districts, with fashion in the center, antiques to the South, and dining in the north. Another popular spot is Quadrangle Shopping Centre, a convenient mall for retail therapy.