10 Fun family-friendly activities in Charleston

Home to fun museums, aquariums, and leafy parks, Charleston is a great place to head with the family. Whether your kids love splashing in the sea or crawling around ghostly ruins and dungeons, there are plenty of things to do with children that will keep you all entertained.

Perfect for teaching valuable lessons on American history and culture, Charleston makes many of its landmarks and heritage sites engaging for children. From Fort Sumter to Boone Hall and the Charleston Museum, your kids will have a blast learning about the Civil War and beyond.

1. Go on a wildlife-watching cruise of the coast

Charleston is surrounded by wildlife-rich waters and scenic beaches. Book a Guided Dolphin Boat Tour in Folly Beach to discover Charleston's playful community of bottlenose dolphins. You can stop along the way to comb the beach for fossils, shark teeth, and seashells.

Best time to go:

Tours are available all year round, but if you want to take a dip in the sea, the waters are warmest in summer.

Meeting point:

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

2. Pet furry friends at Magnolia Plantation

Magnolia Plantation is a sprawling estate dating back to 1676. With scenic gardens, swamps, and period interiors, it makes a fine day out from Charleston. The Magnolia Plantation Tour and Transport provides convenient access to the estate, where little ones can feed and cute animals at the petting zoo.

Best time to go:

There are always great events to catch at Magnolia Plantation. For the best experiences of the garden's flowers, spring to early summer is when many species are in full bloom.

Address and opening hours:

Charleston, SC 29414, United States. Open daily 9:00 AM-5:00 PM.

3. Explore Charleston's downtown district on a horse-drawn carriage

Transport your family back in time with a Historical Downtown Tour by Horse-drawn Carriage. Hop on board a majestic, old-school carriage with a sturdy draft horse in full regalia. You'll take in iconic sights in style, including Charleston Harbor, Charleston Battery, and the Old City Market.

Best time to go:

Horse-drawn carriages are fun all year round. Why not mix it up and book a late-evening option for a spooky tour of Charleston?

Meeting point:

14 Anson St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA. Tour start times vary.

4. Play settlers at the Charles Towne Landing State Park

Situated in a leafy suburb of modern-day Charleston, Charles Towne Landing is where English settlers made landfall in 1670. Now, it's a family-friendly country park with plenty of picnic tables and play areas where kids can explore replica ships and houses to learn about settler life. Access to the park, among other sites, is included in the Tour Pass with 40+ Attractions.

Best time to go:

Head there for lunch with a packed picnic to get the most out of this verdant setting.

Address and opening hours:

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

5. Experience a slice of Civil War history at Fort Sumter

Nestled in Charleston Harbor, this strategic fort was the first place to see gunfire during the American Civil War. Book a Fort Sumter Entry Ticket and Ferry Ride for inclusive access to the fort by boat. The route takes in panoramic views of the harbor and the chance to spot dolphins.

Best time to go:

Head there at sunset for exceptional views of Charleston from Fort Sumter.

Address and opening hours:

South Carolina 29412, United States. Open daily 9:00 AM-5:00 PM. Ferries depart from Liberty Square or Patriot's Point.

6. Head to the beach for fun in the sun

Charleston's coastal location means it has no shortage of beaches. Local favorites like Folly Beach pull in the summer crowds, but families should also check out the Isle of Palms. Home to beach sports, playgrounds, and offering lifeguard supervision, it's an attraction that's packed with fun activities for kids.

Best time to go:

Summertime brings the warmest waters, but you'll find plenty to do in spring and fall, too.

Address and opening hours:

Isle of Palms, South Carolina, USA.

7. Learn about local history at America's oldest museum

Founded in 1773, the Charleston Museum claims to be America's oldest. Housed in a stunning building, there's plenty for kids to do with the City Tour and Museum Combo ticket. The little ones will love the interactive exhibits in the Kidstory section and enjoy getting hands-on with history.

Best time to go:

This is one of the best family-friendly activities for rainy days.

Address and opening hours:

360 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403, United States. Open Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, Sunday 12:00 PM-5:00 PM.

8. Visit Boone Hall for a humbling lesson about slavery

Boone Hall approaches its slaving past with captivating and approachable family-friendly displays. Book the Admission & Day Trip from Charleston for convenient travel and access to the estate. Children will learn all about Gullah culture through performances and art, and there's plenty of open space to run wild in, too.

Best time to go:

Boone Hall is open all year round, but it's a great excursion in spring and summertime when the gardens are in full bloom.

Address and opening hours:

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

9. Explore the cramped quarters of Provost Dungeon

Children with a taste for the weird and spooky will adore Provost Dungeon. British forces converted this former customs house into a dungeon during the Revolutionary War. Now, it offers plenty of fun displays and creepy spaces to explore. For families fond of haunted thrills, book the 90-Minute Ghost and Dungeon Walking Tour.

Best time to go:

Head there plenty of time before closing so you can join a walking tour after exploring the dungeon by yourselves.

Address and opening hours:

122 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States. Open Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM-5 PM, Sunday 11:00 AM-5:00 PM.

10. Learn about seafaring at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum

Any budding sailors in the family must visit this fine maritime museum. Its star attraction is the USS Yorktown, a huge WWII battleship moored at Patriot's Point. If your family enjoys spookiness, join the Patriot's Point Haunted USS Yorktown Tour in the evening.

Best time to go:

With heaps of amenities, the museum is one of the best all-weather kid-friendly attractions.

Address and opening hours:

40 Patriots Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, United States. Open daily 9:00 AM-6:30 PM.

FAQs

What are some of the top family-friendly attractions in Charleston?

Favorite attractions with kids include the petting zoo at Magnolia Plantation, dolphin-watching tours of Charleston Harbor, and the fun fountains of Waterfront Park.

What are the best museums for kids in Charleston?

Charleston Museum boasts a wide number of hands-on displays detailing Lowcountry history. If your kids love fossils, head to the Mace Brown Museum of Natural History.

What are some fun outdoor activities for kids in Charleston?

Kids can run wild at Charles Towne Landing, exploring settler-style homes and replica ships. You'll also discover a wealth of beachside attractions, from paddling at the Isle of Palms to boat tours of the Sea Islands.

What are some unique and off-the-beaten-path experiences to have in Charleston with kids?

If your kids can handle spooks, ghost tours are a great option for families with kids. You can enjoy mellow evening adventures with a horse-drawn carriage or head on a spooky tour of a haunted cemetery or a battleship.

What are some fun day trips from Charleston that are suitable for families with kids?

Magnolia Plantation is an excellent option for kids. With captivating swamp gardens, a petting zoo, and hop-on train rides, there's plenty to keep the little ones entertained.