Charleston’s unmissable landmarks and historical sights

Are you looking to explore Charleston's most iconic sites? This city is rich in history, with some of the oldest homes, buildings, and churches in the country. Discover the city's rich heritage in its museums, then visit the places that tell the story of its evolution. Explore the city's hidden gems and must-visit locations, including historic homes, former plantations, and military forts.

Charleston's stunning seafront setting also provides a wealth of natural landmarks and landscapes that are well worth a look. From harbor-view boat tours to magical island beaches, Charleston's natural sites are some of the best places to visit on a trip to the Holy City. Whether you're traveling solo or with the family, these 15 Charleston landmarks should be on your itinerary.

Historic and architectural landmarks in Charleston

1. The Battery

Constituting the southern end of Charleston's peninsula location, the Battery protected the city during America's fractious wars. Stroll the promenade overlooking the sea for views across Charleston Harbor for Fort Sumter.

Highlights:

The Battery now consists of a pleasant garden, White Point, where you can view the city's iconic 19th-century Columbiad canons. For a unique perspective of the Battery by sea, take a Charleston Harbor sightseeing cruise to see how it protected the city from ship raids.

Address:

Charleston, SC 29401.

2. Fort Sumter

Built in 1829 and shelled by Confederate forces in 1861, this sea fort remains one of the city's famous architectural landmarks. It's now a national park alongside Fort Moultrie, and both have ramparts to explore with impressive views of Charleston Harbor and beyond. This is the spot where the first shots of the Civil War were fired

Highlights:

Book a Fort Sumter entry ticket that includes a ferry ride for a scenic trip to the island fortification. Look out for the playful harbor dolphins.

Address and opening hours:

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

3. Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge

Opened in 2005 to replace two deteriorating truss bridges, this modern cable-stayed design connects Charleston with Mount Pleasant. Now an icon of Charleston's harbor skyline, it sports unique diamond-shaped towers with construction to withstand natural and shipping disasters.

Highlights:

The best way to experience the scope of the bridge is to sail under it. Book a luxury harbor dinner cruise to enjoy the bridge, harbor, and island fortifications at sunset aboard the Spirit of Carolina.

Address:

Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, Charleston, SC 29403.

4. Rainbow Row

Occupying a scenic position along East Bay Street, Rainbow Row is named for its pretty pastel-hued houses. Most of these architectural landmarks were constructed in the 18th century as merchant homes and shops. They were saved from disrepair in the 1930s when preservationist Dorothy Haskell Legge ingeniously decided to re-paint each home with distinctive colors.

Highlights:

For an old-school experience of this picturesque street, book a historical downtown tour by horse-drawn carriage. You'll visit Rainbow Row and other historic streets to the gentle clip-clopping sounds of a horse-drawn carriage.

Address:

83-107 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401.

5. Old Slave Mart

Few historic landmarks in Charleston are as sobering as the Old Slave Mart. This open-air market was once a raucous auction house where enslaved African men, women, and children were traded. It's now an important museum with original 18th-century features.

Highlights:

Put the Old Slave Mart into context with the African-American history walking tour. It'll take in crucial neighborhoods, landmarks, and buildings that tell enlightening stories of the African-American experience in Charleston.

Address and opening hours:

6 Chalmers St, Charleston, SC 29401. Open Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM.

6. Drayton Hall

Built in 1747, this historic hall is one of America's oldest and best-preserved Palladian buildings. Older than the nation itself, Drayton Hall stands as a stoic reminder of America's complicated history of slavery, secession, and unification. The hall's 18th-century interiors boast many delightful artifacts and antiques.

Highlights:

You can explore the hall as part of a comprehensive tour of the South Carolina Lowcountry which takes you to historic plantations and estates.

Address and opening hours:

3380 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414. Open Thursday-Tuesday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM.

7. Aiken-Rhett House

Aiken-Rhett House is culturally significant as Charleston's only-surviving central townhouse. Constructed in 1820 in a Greek revival style, it has been uniquely preserved but not renovated to give an insightful glimpse into the city's antebellum and postbellum past.

Highlights:

The Aiken-Rhett House does an outstanding job of emphasizing the lives of enslaved people. You can explore slave dormitory quarters and the faded glory of the once-opulent main house.

Address and opening hours:

48 Elizabeth St, Charleston, SC 29403. Open daily 10:00 AM-5:00 PM.

Scenic and natural landmarks in Charleston

8. Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site

In 1670, English settlers arrived at this marshy point near what would become Charleston. While no original buildings remain, replicas of 17th-century houses and ships provide a historic day out in peaceful, verdant gardens.

Highlights:

Today's Charles Towne Landing does a great job of recreating how early English settlers would have lived, providing miles of leafy trails and picnic spots for outdoor fun. Entry to the historic park and more than 40 other locations is included with a Charleston Tour Pass.

Address and opening hours:

1500 Old Towne Rd, Charleston, SC 29407. Open daily 9:00 AM-6:00 PM.

9. Joe Riley Waterfront Park

Charleston's premier green space is nestled in the heart of the city's old maritime district. Today, it provides sweeping views across Charleston Harbor with water features to admire or cool off under, including the iconic Pineapple Fountain. Its leafy spots are ideal for picnicking

Highlights:

Look out for historic landmarks like the memorial to Robert Smalls, a freed slave turned politician who worked tirelessly to make education free.

Address and opening hours:

Vendue Range, Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401. Open 7:00 AM-9:30 AM Monday-Saturday, 7:30 AM-10:30 PM Sunday.

10. Boone Hall's Avenue of Oaks

With grand oak trees perfectly composed into scenic archways, Boone Hall's Avenue of Oaks is a true must-visit. These natural landmarks are part of the plantation's sprawling gardens and farmland open for genteel walks.

Highlights:

Book an day trip from Charleston for entry to Boone Hall, including transportation from Charleston Museum. You can enjoy the Avenue of Oaks, learn about Gullah culture, and tour the hall.

Address and opening hours:

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

11. Morris Island

Occupying 840 acres in Charleston Harbor, Morris Island is a dream beach location once fortified to defend the city. Its famous lighthouse and pale sandy shores provide the perfect spot for a sunset.

Highlights:

Pack your camera for the monthly Morris Island full moon boat tour, where you'll be taken out to Morris Island at sunset. The harbor route is a popular location for dolphins, adding extra magic to your moonlit experience.

Address:

Morris Island, South Carolina 29412.

12. Folly Island

Folly Beach is one of Charleston's best beach destinations. Taking up the Atlantic-facing coast of Folly Island, this is a prime spot for dolphin watching with strand feeding season from July to September.

Highlights:

Enjoy a personalized excursion with the dolphin boat tour in Folly Beach. Informed guides know the best dolphin-watching spots and the top areas to picnic and search for fossils, shark teeth, and seashells.

Address and opening hours:

Folly Island, Folly Beach, SC 29439.

13. Magnolia Plantation

Built as a rice plantation in 1676, this sprawling estate occupies 500 acres of manicured land. It boasts an impressive variety of gardens, from horticultural mazes to English-style lawns and forested lakes.

Highlights:

Book the Magnolia Plantation tour including transport to explore the estate, its gardens, and petting zoo. Visitors enjoy a 45-minute tram excursion through the estate's Audobon Swamp Gardens, among other scenic highlights.

Address:

Charleston, SC 29414.

14. Isle of Palms

Charleston has no shortage of stellar beaches, but Isle of Palms is something special. Perfect for families and those looking for sun-soaked R&R, the beachfront is backed by delectable eateries, while the shoreline is well-served by playgrounds and walkways.

Highlights:

Playing beachball at the Isle of Palms is a must. This is also a fine sea turtle-watching center during the egg-laying season from May to mid-August.

Address:

Isle of Palms, South Carolina.

15. Charleston Tea Garden

Nestled on Wadmalaw Island, Charleston Tea Garden is the country's only large-scale tea plantation, occupying 127 scenic acres. You can sip on tea in the leafy gardens where Camellia sinensis is grown and harvested.

Highlights:

Charleston's climate makes it one of the USA's only areas capable of cultivating tea. Enjoy a Wadmalaw Island day trip with wine tasting at Deep Water Vineyard, which includes a visit to the Charleston Tea Garden.

Address and opening hours:

6617 Maybank Hwy, Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487, United States. Open 10:00 AM-4:00 PM Monday-Saturday, 12:00 PM-4:00 PM Sunday.

FAQs

What is the oldest historic landmark in Charleston?

There are many old plantations, estates, and churches in the Charleston vicinity dating back to the 1700s. In the city center, Col. William Rhett House is the oldest dwelling dating back to 1712. Other historic landmarks include the Powder Magazine, Charleston's oldest public building, completed in 1713.

What are some free landmarks to visit in Charleston?

For architecture enthusiasts, the entirety of Charleston's historic center is free to wander and admire. Stroll down Chalmers Street to view the iconic Pink House from 1712, or head to St. Michael's Anglican Church, the city's oldest religious building.

Are there any guided tours that focus on the architecture of Charleston's landmarks?

Yes. Many walking tours explore Charleston's history through its buildings, occupants, and stories. The Historical Walking Tour explores pre-and-post-colonial homes to give a feel for the city's wide heritage.

How can I get the best views of scenic landmarks in Charleston?

Much of Charleston's best landmarks and viewpoints are accessible by foot. Head to the Battery for shoreline views or Morris Island for one of the best sunsets in South Carolina. If you'd like sweeping vistas of Charleston Harbor, nothing quite beats a Schooner Sailing Harbor Tour with open views across the ocean behind atmospheric sails.

What are some natural landmarks near Charleston worth visiting?

Charleston is close to many natural parks, plantations, and islands, from Folly Island and Morris Island to the south and Sullivan's Island and the Isle of Palms to the east. These beaches are some of the most scenic natural landmarks to visit.