United States
South Carolina (SC)
Coastal South Carolina
Charleston
Things to do in Charleston

Top Things to Do in Charleston, SC - Charleston Attractions

Things to Do in Charleston

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Ways to tour Charleston

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Top Attractions in Charleston

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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

What travellers are saying

  • Stacey C
    38 contributions
    Review of: Middleton Place
    Post-Christmas visit
    Beautiful grounds and very family-friendly. We happened to be there after Christmas 2020, and there were more people than I anticipated. Still very enjoyable.
    Written 9 August 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Chris C
    Raleigh, NC1 contribution
    Review of: Joe Riley Waterfront Park
    Great place for family
    Very nice and relaxing place. 2 fountains nice weather by an art gallery. Very close to the hear of Charleston. Great architecture and beauty
    Written 14 August 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Scott D.
    McEwen, TN107 contributions
    Review of: Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
    A Beautiful Drive Over The Bridge
    A Bridge may just be a bridge, however the Ravenel Bridge is worth driving over and admiring the beauty you can see from both directions. While in Charleston we drove over this bridge was seemed like a 100 times. Each time was just a beautiful as the last. If you have time to walk across the bridge, do it! Otherwise, just enjoy your view while driving over. Check out our blog!
    Written 24 July 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Lillybelle5
    7 contributions
    Review of: Fort Sumter National Monument
    Interesting and enjoyable
    Very interesting and the park ranger was extremely knowledgeable and he was funny! The ferry that takes you to the fort had restrooms and snacks for purchase.
    Written 8 August 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • S S
    1 contribution
    Review of: McLeod Plantation Historic Site
    A must visit place to understand American history
    A phenomenal place that tells the plantation story from the perspectives of the slaves. Everyone should hear this. American history in its unvarnished truth
    Written 6 August 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Laur2396
    9 contributions
    Review of: Battery & White Point Gardens
    A stroll in the park
    We spent many evenings walking and driving the Battery. I would highly recommend driving around the area at night because it is very cool to see the giant houses lit up. Definitely history in the Battery, so be sure to take a tour or do some research to get an understanding of the area that you're walking through.
    Written 11 August 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kathy H
    8 contributions
    Review of: Nathaniel Russell House
    Did a self guided audio tour
    There are on the hour guided tours. Since we arrived about 10 minutes after the hour, we did a self guided audio tour.. The audio tour was quite interesting with extras if you want to listen. A beautifully restored home that has been kept as close to original as possible.
    Written 17 August 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kathy H
    8 contributions
    Review of: Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon
    Great history lesson
    This was a very interesting dungeon tour as well as the rest of the exchange. Quite a Revolutionary War era history lesson of Charleston
    Written 17 August 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • AmyC
    Sarasota, FL9 contributions
    Review of: South Carolina Aquarium
    Fun for the Family
    The aquarium is about a block away from the public parking garage, which was a bit of a distance in the rain in a wheelchair! Having to buy tickets in advance with a specific arrival time was also a bit of a challenge for us as we were driving from Jacksonville, FL. They initially didn't want to let us in early, however, made an exception with only minor eye rolling.

    We thought the price was a bit steep, but then realized they have to finance the turtle rehab, so we were okay with the cost. This would be a great place to take kids as it is kid friendly. Having been to a number of aquariums in our life we would rate this maybe 8 out of 10.
    Written 12 July 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Marty Bielicki
    Jensen Beach, FL14,133 contributions
    Review of: Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
    A Few Tips About the Magnolia Plantation
    This plantation is located about 13 miles southwest along Ashley River Road. It takes a good 30 minutes or so to reach there from downtown. It is regarded as the oldest planation in the south dating back to 1676. This rice plantation has been owned for the majority of those years by the Drayton family from Barbados.

    Nearly 400 acres today, the plantation is quite extensive. The information and ticket kiosk will give you price list for all the tours. You can also go on-line to see the price-list. General Admission (as of August 2022) is $29 for one adult and children from 6-12, $15 dollars. To actually see the Plantation House will cost you $10; a Nature tram $10; a Nature Boat ride along the Ashely River $10; the Audubon Swamp $10 and the Historic Garden Walk $10. Literally, one can spend an entire day at the Magnolia Plantation.

    Besides the General Admission ticket, we decided to also tour the Plantation House. Included with the General Admission ticket is a tour of the slavery cabins. That tour is called “From Slavery to Freedom.” The oldest slave cabin dates back to 1840.

    We walked over to the Cabins, but there is a parking lot close by to the well-constructed bathrooms. On a hot July day, the AC bathrooms was a welcomed relief.

    “Joe” was our guide. An outstanding guide who can date his ancestry to about 1840. For about 30 minutes Joe gave an over-view about slavery. Many people did not know that Africans themselves enslaved other Africans. The main difference to this slavery is that African slaves that remained in Africa were free after 7 years. The Africans purchased by Europeans were “chattel” and always remained as slaves—even their offspring.

    Joe did admit that 6 slaves escaped from this plantation which grew rice. One of the visitors did ask if “any slaves volunteered to come to America?” Joe later thanked us for not laughing. No question is stupid.

    We had enough time before our 11:00AM house tour to walk around the path along Ashley River. I think a boat ride for anyone who does not know about the “Low Country” would be a valuable experience—well worth $10 dollars.

    A large plaque states that the British landed close by during the Revolutionary War. There is, indeed, plenty of history around Charleston.

    There is a café kiosk on property to get drinks and snacks. We indulged in having tea.

    Visiting in July is “warm” but doable. I think the fall and spring would be ideal times.

    There were plenty of people for the 11:00 house tour. We were broken-up into manageable groups. Our tour guide was excellent, filled with passion, telling us about the history of the family and the plantation. There is AC in the house as well as a few fans that I gyrated to.

    We quickly learned that this house was the present home of two other previous homes that burnt down. The Union forces during the Civil War burnt down the Plantation in 1865. The house is filled, though, with interesting original family antiques.

    To make ends meet, the Plantation and its gardens were open to the public in circa 1870’s. The Drayton’s lost all their money by investing into the Confederacy. This family is a good example of being from “money to rags, back to riches.”

    We were not happy to learn that “Photographs are forbidden” in the Plantation house. Not even photos without flash. We have been in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia and the Met in NYC where pictures are allowed. It would have been considerate of management to let us know this policy before purchasing the tickets. We may, though, have still toured this home knowing the photography policy. One of the reasons we give the Magnolia Plantation Four stars, instead of Five.

    If you found this review to be “helpful” in any way, please check “Thumbs-up” to let me know.
    Written 3 August 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Aaron S
    Aventura, FL245 contributions
    Review of: Pineapple Fountain
    Beautiful
    Enjoyable to see, to get photographed, to lay low and relax while people watching...one thing is for sure, you will not get bored sitting around this cool fountain.
    Written 15 August 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jktchorne
    Fort Smith, AR1,066 contributions
    Review of: Charleston City Market
    Vendors
    Big open market with a lot of vendors. It covered space but extremely crowed. Tons of basket vendors and souvenirs shops.
    Written 31 July 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Melanie T
    New York City, NY4,364 contributions
    Review of: Old Slave Mart Museum
    Go early to avoid crowds
    This was an informative self-guided tour about slavery in Charleston. The building was actually used as an auction floor. It's sad but also important to educate yourself on what took place here back in the day. We arrived on a Saturday at around 12:45. If you have a student ID, tickets are $5. Otherwise, it's $8. It took us about half an hour to get through both floors, but I think it was really because we were just trying to get out of there because it was so crowded. All the people + narrow walkways = very hard to move around. I'd recommend going when it opens if you want to try and avoid this.
    Written 11 August 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • CBDurf
    Bethlehem, PA90 contributions
    Review of: Aiken-Rhett House
    A Walk in Time
    This house is frozen in time and you feel as if you are walking back through history. It was so interesting to walk through the slave quarters and each room with original furniture and wall coverings.
    Written 27 June 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Macybear
    Fort Lauderdale, FL102 contributions
    Review of: Charleston Visitor Center
    Excellent oasis for the Charleston tourist
    Modern facility where you can book/wait for your tour bus, find out more about Charleston, use the bathroom, buy snacks, or just sit in the air conditioning to plan your next adventure. This is a very well run, attractive, clean, and safe facility.
    Written 18 July 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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