It can be overwhelming just how much stuff there is to do in Charleston but there’s definitely something for everyone. Here’s a guide to all the things you have to do when visiting this southern charm.
This one is fairly obvious given how old Charleston is. Known as Charles Town at the time, the city was founded in 1670. Being a port city and once the capital of South Carolina, there’s been centuries worth of interaction from the sea including encounters with the Native Americans, conflicts with pirates, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, etc. Luckily, there are multiple tours that bring that history back to life for our generation.
There are walking, carriage, and bus tours available in the city as well as ferries going to sights off shore. You can go see the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, the old city market, Fort Sumter and Moultrie, and plenty more. With centuries of history also comes centuries worth folklore and ghost stories. There are an abundance of “haunted” places to visit including the infamous Old City Jail which housed the alleged first female serial killer in America known as Lavinia Fisher. There’s tons of learning opportunities in Charleston for the curious tourist.
The Battery is a sea wall overlooking the Charleston Harbor that is surrounded by historic houses and land marks. The Cooper and Ashley River run along each side of it before meeting in the middle to go out to sea. It once served as a protective measure during the Civil War with multiple relics and memorials dotted around the walkway and accompanying park.
The park is shaded with astounding live oak trees and a gazebo in the center of it all. On any given day, you will see dogs playing fetch, children playing in the grass, and maybe even a wedding ceremony given the perfect venue. The houses down there are quite marveling with their size and that old southern historical appeal. With so much stuff to look at here, you might need to take a seat in the park to take it all in.
From The Battery, you can walk your way up to another water front park running along the Cooper River. Here you can find the very famous Pineapple Fountain which is the staple landmark of Charleston. You can also get a great view of the Ravenel Bridge and the USS Yorktown war ship from this location. Much like The Battery, it is a stunning park with flowers and palm trees all over.
Rainbow Row is essentially what it sounds like, a row of colorful houses. There are 13 of these pastel colored homes lining the waterfront of the Charleston Harbor. After the Civil War, this are looked like a rather damper until one day when the owner of one of the houses decided to paint her humble abode pink to brighten things up. She had set a trend as more and more of her neighbors decided to do the same thing with different colors creating what would be famed as one of Charleston’s most well known attractions.
This landmark is the site for seemingly hundreds of photoshoots a day. It is a popular location for engagement/wedding photos, bachelorette photos, graduation pictures, and even just a pose for an Instagram post. If you can safely get a picture in the street with multiple colors of the row or just stand in front of your favorite, it’s totally worth it.
The South Carolina Aquarium is located right on the water front of the Cooper River. There are 13 exhibits total including ones with a hands on experience. There’s an exhibit on sea creatures residing just off the shore of Charleston, animals in the deeper sea, and animals specific to Carolina coasts. There are exhibits for more land dwelling animals as well including alligators, snakes, bald eagles, and a tortoise.
For more hands-on activities there are touch tanks, a turtle rescue hospital, a trading post, and collaborative activities for children at an exhibit called Kids Coast. In the touch tanks, you can dip your hands in with sting rays, starfish, crabs, and even small fish. All of this is safe, of course. There are multiple experiences offered at the Kids Coast geared towards teaching children about marine conservation as well. That being said, this makes for an unforgettable experience while in town.
Most Saturdays, Marion Square is flourishing with locals and tourists. Finally coming back after the pandemic, the market downtown is something heavily anticipated throughout the week. There’s merchant tents set up all over the park as well as food trucks and performers. There’s coffee places, breakfast food, lunch food, and sweets to snack on while you shop. There’s a lot of clothes, art work, jewelry, etc for sale. You’re bound to find something eye catching.
The Saturday Market is a great way to start off your morning in Charleston whether it’s a family trip, a girl’s weekend, or just a walk with your dog. If you’re lucky there’s a few entertaining street performers near the fountain on the corner of King Street who break dance and play the drums. Crowds of people gather around to watch the spectacle and it’s almost impossible to avoid looking. The market is a highly recommended activity to wake you up for a long day of fun.
Every second Sunday of the month, the city of Charleston shuts down part of King Street to cars for an event known as 2nd Sunday. This pedestrian only ordeal allows tourists and Charlstonians to an afternoon of shopping and food. Many establishments set up tables towards the middle of the street for guests to dine at while they can take in everything around them. Some retail shops provide discounts exclusive to 2nd Sunday calling for a great bargain on some wanted items.
One of the favorited aspects of this fun time are the amount of dogs present. It’s a hay day for dog lovers and for the dogs. Everyone and everything gets to meet someone new. 2nd Sunday is a great photo opportunity as there are often a lot of “aesthetic” scenes set up such as a flower stand and vintage food truck. 2nd Sunday can amass up to 20,000 people in the Summer season and for great reason. You don’t want to miss it.
7. Attend A Charleston RiverDogs Baseball Game
The Charleston RiverDogs are a minor league baseball team who’s major league affiliate is the Tampa Bay Rays. Their stadium is located next to scenic marshlands of the Ashley River providing a stunning view of not just some great baseball but also coastal life. The games feature your typical baseball game cuisine while also offering some amazing southern comfort foods. There’s also an array of refreshments including sodas, sweet tea, and of course, beer.
The RiverDogs host multiple events a week coinciding with their baseball games. On Tuesday’s, it’s Dog Day so you can bring your furry friend. Budweiser sponsors a Thirsty Thursday night with $2 beers. For more kid friendly nights, Sundays are dedicated to healthy families which is promoted by the Medical University of South Carolina. Kids can eat cotton candy, jump on jumpy houses, play fun games, etc. It’s a great time for families and friends.
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