Best things to do in Charleston

Charleston Sailing Adventures

Skippered sailing charters departing Wharfside Street into Charleston Harbor and the surrounding Lowcountry waterways.

Charleston Party Cat, LLC

Pontoon boat party cruises on the Ashley River, available for private charters and group events.

Walks of Charleston

Guided walking tours of Charleston's historic streets, led by knowledgeable locals out of a small office on Pinckney Street.

Charleston Tour Company

Walking and boat tours of the peninsula, run out of a storefront on East Bay Street since 2005.

Harbor Bar Boat Tours - Charleston Party Boat

Private and public boat tours and party charters departing from Ripley Light Marina on the Ashley River.

Charleston Sailing Adventures

Guided sailing charters out of Wharfside Street on the Charleston Harbor, running lessons and sunset cruises aboard a fleet of keelboats.

Saltwater Cycle Party Boat Tours

Pedal-powered party boat cruising Charleston's waterways, BYOB and wheelchair accessible, departing from Ashley Point.

Palmetto Carriage Works

Sightseers ride behind horses in old-fashioned carriages while receiving a narrated history lesson.

RedFin Charters

Inshore fishing charter running redfish and trout trips through Charleston's tidal creeks and salt marshes.

Charleston Sailing Charters LLC Yachts Fate, Serendipity, Kismet, Mystique and Southern Charm

Five-vessel sailing operation out of Lockwood Drive marina offering private charters on the harbor and surrounding waters.

USS Yorktown Ghost Tour

Nighttime ghost tour aboard the decommissioned WWII carrier docked across the harbor in Mount Pleasant.

Old South Carriage Company

Narrated sightseeing trips on historic carriages pulled by horse, plus city-center walking tours.

Palmetto Breeze

Dolphin-watching and sunset cruises departing from Shem Creek on a 48-foot catamaran.

Lowcountry Walking Tours

Guided walking tours of the peninsula led by locals who know Charleston's history past the brochure version.

Pirates of Charleston

Family-run pirate adventure cruise departing Ashley Point, blending local maritime lore with hands-on activities for kids on the Charleston Harbor.

Shem Creek Kayak Tour

Paddle through Shem Creek's salt marsh. Dolphins are common; the dolphins are the point.

Sandlapper Water Tours

Narrated boat tours of Charleston Harbor departing from Wharfside Street, covering the waterfront, Fort Sumter, and the historic Cooper River.

All In One Charters

Fishing and touring charter operation running inshore and offshore trips out of downtown Charleston.

Holy City Boat Tours

Narrated harbor and waterway boat tours departing from Ashley Marina on the Charleston peninsula.

Charleston Culinary Tours

Guided walking tours through downtown Charleston that pair neighborhood history with stops at local restaurants and food producers.

Tiki Tours of Charleston - Party Boat and Booze Cruises

BYOB pontoon boat tours departing from Lockwood Drive along the Charleston Harbor and Ashley River.

Nightly Spirits

Guided ghost and history walking tours departing nightly from the Market Street area.

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum

Visitors can explore a retired Naval aircraft carrier, destroyer & submarine docked here year-round.

Sip History - Charleston

Guided cocktail history tours through Charleston's past, poured glass by glass at a dedicated tasting space on Calhoun Street.

Nature Adventures on Shem Creek

Recreational company featuring kayak, canoe, paddleboard & hiking tours, rentals & kids’ education.

Old Town Trolley Tours Charleston

Hop-on, hop-off narrated trolley loop hitting 18 stops across the peninsula, departing from the Visitor Center on Meeting St.

Bulldog Tours - Old Charleston Jail

Nightly ghost tours through the 1802 jail where pirates, prisoners, and a few thousand yellow fever victims reportedly never left.

Tour Charleston

Walking and carriage tour operator out of King Street covering Charleston history, architecture, and neighborhoods.

Pineapple Fountain

Multi-layered, pineapple-shaped fountain facing the waterfront, popular for photos.

Hampton Park

Featuring extensive floral displays, this park also offers a baseball diamond, playground & trail.

Epic Game Show Experience

Hosted trivia and game show competitions for groups at a Market Street venue in the heart of the tourist district.

Bulldog Tours

Ghost, history, and pub crawl tours departing nightly from Anson Street since 1998.

Shem Creek Park

Boardwalks, trails & fishing boats highlight this tranquil town park with creek & wetlands views.

Carolina Cabana Cruises

Private boat charters out of Ashley Marina for harbor tours, sunset cruises, and dolphin watches on the Charleston waterway.

Tour Charleston With Adam - History, Bar & Ghost Tours

Adam leads walking tours covering Charleston history, haunts, and bars from the heart of the historic district.

Charleston Yacht Tours

Private and group boat tours departing from Ripley Point on the Ashley River.

Blue Life Charters

Private fishing and dolphin charters departing from Lockwood Marina on the Ashley River.

Charleston Yacht Tours

Private and group sailing charters departing from Ripley Point on the Ashley River.

Carolina Marine Group

Charter fishing and eco-tour outfit on the Ashley River, running inshore trips for families and serious anglers alike.

Walk It! Charleston

Guided walking tours of the peninsula led by local historians, departing from the heart of the historic district on Broad Street.

Charleston Harbor Tours

Narrated boat tours departing Wharfside Street, covering the harbor, Fort Sumter, and the Charleston peninsula from the water.

International African American Museum

Waterfront museum on Gadsden's Wharf, the precise site where enslaved Africans first arrived in America, documenting that history through galleries and genealogy resources.

Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park

A nautical-themed playground, 1,250-ft pier with bench swings, cafe/gift shop & scenic harbor views.

Charleston History Walk

Guided walking tour of the peninsula's colonial streets, church yards, and antebellum architecture led by local historians.

Sundog Sailing & Boating Tours Charleston

Small-boat sailing tours out of Patriots Point, running the harbor and nearby waterways with an emphasis on actual time on the water.

Frankly Charleston Black History Tours

Walking tours focused on the African American history of Charleston, led by guides who center Black narratives over Lost Cause mythology.

White Point Garden

This public garden beside the water offers paved paths, military statues, canons & picnic areas.

Chucktown Tours

Walking and boat tours of the peninsula led by local guides, departing from Waterfront Park.

Colonial Lake Park

Historic tidal pond & dog-friendly park with paved pathways, benches, fishing & open green space.

Escape in 60

Downtown escape room operation on Market Street with multiple themed puzzles for groups.

Captain Cocktail Cruises

Two-hour cocktail cruises departing Shem Creek, with open bar and views of the harbor and Ravenel Bridge.

Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon

Self-guided tours offered in a historic building, formerly a Revolutionary prison & City Hall.

Charleston Sailboat Charters

Bareboat and crewed sailboat charters departing Lockwood Marina into Charleston Harbor and beyond.

Adventure Sightseeing

Family-friendly bus and boat tour operator running sightseeing routes through the historic peninsula since 1967.

Charleston Walking Tours by Charleston Footprints

Guided walking tours of the historic district led by local guides out of the Meeting and Chalmers Street corner.

Waterfront Park

Well-known park with Charleston Harbor views, plus a large lawn, walkways & fountains.

Shem Creek Boardwalk

Tidal boardwalk along a working shrimp boat dock in Mount Pleasant, where pelicans outnumber tourists on slow weekday mornings.

Cruisin Tikis Charleston

Electric tiki boats for rent on the Charleston Harbor, BYOB, captain included.

Melton Peter Demetre Park

Waterfront city park on James Island with marsh views, a fishing pier, and open green space for dogs and families.

Lowndes Grove

Weddings & other events are held at this elegant, riverside plantation built in the late 1700s.

Gibbes Museum of Art

Portraits & landscapes dating back to the 1700s, housed in a century-old beaux arts-style building.

Charleston Pirate Tours

Lantern-lit walking tours through the French Quarter covering Charleston's actual pirate history, including Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet.

Mt Pleasant Waterfront Park Playground

Waterfront playground beneath the Ravenel Bridge with harbor views, climbing structures, and wheelchair-accessible paths along the Mount Pleasant shoreline.

Charleston Sole Walking Tours

Guided walking tours of the peninsula led by local historians, departing from East Bay Street.

Charleston Water Taxi

Passenger ferry running between the Charleston peninsula and Patriots Point across the harbor, with open-air deck seating.

Fort Sumter Tours & Boat Cruises

Federal ferry service running daily trips from Liberty Square to the Civil War fort in Charleston Harbor.

Stories in the Cemetery

Lantern-lit guided tours of historic Charleston churchyards, blending documented history with local ghost lore.

Washington Square

Urban park with oak trees & flower displays centered on a 42-ft. model of the Washington Monument.

Everything Zen Sailing Charters

Sailboat charters departing Patriots Point for harbor and sunset cruises on Charleston's waterways.

JWalk Tours

Guided walking tours of Charleston's historic peninsula, led by local Jonathan Bechtel out of Church Street.

The Battery

Seawall promenade at the tip of the peninsula where antebellum mansions face the harbor and cannons point toward Fort Sumter.

Aiken-Rhett House Museum

Tours of this historic home of an influential 1800s family include a back lot where slaves lived.

Charleston Fishing Trips

Saltwater charter operation running inshore and offshore trips out of Shrimp Boat Lane in Mount Pleasant.

Liberty Square

Grassy national park on Cooper River featuring a small museum, aquarium & ferry to Fort Sumter.

Fort Sumter Tours & Boat Cruises

Ferry service running visitors out to the Civil War fort where the first shots of the conflict were fired.

Walk & Talk Charleston

Guided walking tours of the peninsula led by local historians out of a Broad Street office.

Knot Stressed Inshore Charters

Inshore fishing charters out of Mt. Pleasant's Shrimp Boat Lane, targeting redfish and trout in the Lowcountry marshes.

Powder Magazine Museum

Colonial military history museum & gift shop in a 1713 gunpowder storage building.

Gadsdenboro Park

Small urban park on the edge of the upper peninsula, with a playground, open lawn, and direct views of the Cooper River.

Marion Square

Urban green space with historic significance, hosting regular events including a farmer's market.

The Charleston Museum

America's first museum, founded in 1773, exhibits relics from South Carolina & Confederate history.

Dockside Yacht Charters

Private yacht charters departing from Lockwood Drive on the Ashley River, handling corporate events, sunset cruises, and custom trips.

Dockside Yacht Charters

Private and group sailing charters departing from the downtown marina on the Ashley River.

Carolina Polo and Carriage Co.

Horse-drawn carriage tours through the historic district, departing from Pinckney Street since the 1980s.

Flatsbroke Fishing Charters

Half-day and full-day inshore fishing charters out of Mt. Pleasant's Wando River waterfront.

William Aiken House

Antebellum mansion on King Street hosting weddings across its courtyard, carriage house, and formal gardens since the 1830s.

Charleston Speed Boat Adventures | Charleston Boat Tours

Speedboat tours of Charleston Harbor and surrounding waterways, departing from Ashley Point on the James Island side of the Ashley River.

Two Sisters Tours

Walking and private tour company operating out of the South of Broad neighborhood, led by longtime Charlestonians.

Governor Thomas Bennett House

Antebellum plantation house on Barre Street, built in 1825, now booked for weddings and private events.

Beyond Exhibitions Charleston

Rotating immersive art installations in a Beaufain Street gallery space, wheelchair accessible.

Mace Brown Museum of Natural History - College of Charleston

Free natural history museum inside College of Charleston's science building, with fossil collections, minerals, and regional specimens.

Nathaniel Russell House Museum

Ornate, circa-1808 home known for its "free-flying" 3-story spiral staircase, with guided tours.

Charleston Historic Tours LLC

Walking tour company based in Mount Pleasant running history-focused guided tours through Charleston's streets.

Om Sailing Charters

Sailboat charters out of Patriots Point for half-day, sunset, and private cruises on Charleston Harbor.

Edmondston-Alston House

Historic Federal-style home, open for tours showcasing architecture, furnishings & family artifacts.

Charleston, South Carolina

Historic walking city where centuries of architecture, cobblestone streets, and harbor views reward those who slow down enough to look up.

Charleston Water Taxi

Passenger ferry linking downtown Charleston to Patriots Point and Waterfront Park, running the Cooper River year-round.

Redux Contemporary Art Center

Edgy nonprofit artist workspace & gallery hosting classes, performances & events.

SoulShine Charters Charleston

Private fishing and sightseeing charters out of Lockwood Drive, running the harbor and surrounding lowcountry waterways.

Southern Wonder Yacht Charters

Private yacht charters out of Lockwood Drive marina for events, sightseeing, and harbor tours on Charleston's waterways.

Fort Sumter Ferry

National Park Service ferry from Patriots Point to the Civil War battery where the first shots of the war were fired.

Charleston City Market

Four-block open-air market downtown. Sweetgrass baskets, local artists, tourist staples.

Ghost City Tours

Nightly walking tours through Charleston's darker history, covering cemeteries, haunted buildings, and the city's long catalog of documented tragedies.

The Original Ghostwalk of Charleston

Lantern-lit walking tours through the historic district covering Charleston's documented hauntings, graveyards, and colonial-era tragedies since 1999.

Brittlebank Park

Scenic riverfront recreational area featuring a playground, walking paths & a fishing pier.

Schooner Pride

Tall ship sailing schooner departing from Aquarium Wharf for harbor tours on Charleston's working waterfront.

Chocolate Milk Charters

Fishing and sightseeing charter operation running trips out of Charleston Harbor, booked through a Meeting Street office suite.

Sip & Sea Boat Charters

Private boat charters out of Ashley Point for harbor cruises, dolphin watches, and sunset runs on the Charleston waterways.

American Theater

Restored 1942 movie house on King Street, now a wedding and event venue with original art deco bones intact.

Rainbow Row

Historic District cluster of 13 pastel-painted Georgian-style rowhouses dating from 1748 to 1845.

South Carolina Aquarium

Massive aquarium with interactive exhibits & hundreds of creatures, including many native species.

Old South Tours

Horse-drawn carriage tour company running licensed routes through the historic district since 1983.

Charleston Booze Cruise

Two-hour booze cruises departing Lockwood Drive marina, covering Charleston Harbor with drinks aboard.

United States Custom House

Ornate 1879 federal building on East Bay Street, still an active port authority office with a marble trading room open to visitors.

Tommy Dew's Walking Tour

Local guide Tommy Dew leads walking tours through the historic district on foot, departing from Meeting Street.

Heyward-Washington House

18th-century Georgian-style home once belonging to a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Charleston Old Walled City Tours , Charleston Tours, Charleston Garden and Architecture Tours

Walking tours of the walled city's colonial streets, gardens, and architecture, departing from the corner of Meeting and Chalmers.

Theodora Park

Compact neighborhood green space on Anson Street with benches, dog access, and a quiet break from the French Quarter foot traffic.

Childrens Museum of the Lowcountry

Hands-on exhibits for under-10 kids plus parties, programs, camps & classes such as yoga & dance.

Adventure Harbour Tours

Small-boat dolphin and nature tours launching from Mt. Pleasant's Ashley Point into the Lowcountry waterways.

Flamingo Charters LLC

Lockwood Drive charter operation running fishing and sightseeing trips on Charleston Harbor and the surrounding tidal waterways.

The Museum at Market Hall

Greek Revival landmark built in 1841 offering Civil War history & tours by women's-group docents.

Preservation Society of Charleston

Nonprofit watchdog on King Street that has spent decades fighting to keep Charleston's architectural fabric intact.

Joseph Manigault House

Built in 1803, this antebellum structure is furnished with period American, French & British pieces.

High Tide Harbor Tours

Narrated harbor and waterway boat tours departing from Ripley Point, covering Charleston's coastline and historic maritime landmarks.

High Tide Harbor Tours

Small-boat harbor tours departing from Ripley Point, covering Charleston's waterfront history and working port up close.

Historic Rice Mill

Restored 1861 rice mill on the Ashley River, now a waterfront event and wedding venue with industrial bones intact.

Revolutionary Charleston Tours

Walking tours of Charleston's colonial and Revolutionary War history, departing from Washington Square Park on Broad Street.

Charleston Private Party Boat Charters Kismet, Serendipity, Fate, Mystique, Southern Charm

Private charter fleet of five boats docked at Lockwood Drive, running harbor cruises and event charters on the Ashley and Cooper rivers.

Carnival Cruise Port

Carnival's downtown embarkation terminal on the Charleston waterfront, sending ships out from the base of the peninsula since 2016.

Corrine Jones Park

Small neighborhood park on Marlow Drive with open lawn, a playground, and a walking path suited for kids and leashed dogs.

Charleston Carriage Works

Horse-drawn carriage tours departing from Anson Street, covering the French Quarter and historic district with licensed guides.

Waterfront Swings

Free public swings overlooking the Cooper River at Waterfront Park, a reliable stop for kids and anyone who wants a harbor view.

South Carolina Society Hall

Federal-era ballroom on Meeting Street, built in 1804, renting its plaster ceilings and heart-pine floors to wedding parties.

South Carolina Historical Society

Private library housing historical state photos & documents, with a Colonial & antebellum focus.

Old Slave Mart Museum

Displays in this former slave auction building tell the story of the slave trade in Charleston.

Ride-N-Slide Boat Charters

Private boat charters launching from Lockwood Marina, offering harbor and waterway excursions on Charleston's tidal rivers.

Palmetto Party Boat

Private charter boat operation running harbor tours and group outings off the Ashley River at James Island.

Flipper Finders Party Boat Tours

Dolphin-spotting boat tours departing from the Charleston waterfront at Immigration Street, with free parking on-site.

Chapel Street Fountain Park

Small neighborhood splash pad and green space on Chapel Street, open to dogs and strollers year-round.

Cannon Park

Shaded neighborhood green across from the Gibbes Museum, popular with dog walkers and families on Rutledge Avenue.

Hibernian Hall

A popular wedding venue, this landmark hall was built in 1840 & features Greek Revival architecture.

Good Food Catering

Wheelchair-accessible catering operation on Lockwood Drive handling weddings and events out of a ground-floor suite near the marina.

McMahon Playground

Neighborhood park on Cleveland Street with standard playground equipment, open lawn, and free parking in the upper peninsula.

Charlestown Charters

Fishing and sightseeing charter operation running out of Mt. Pleasant, working the Lowcountry waterways off Coleman Boulevard.

The Camden Room

Restored 19th-century ballroom on Meeting Street hosting weddings and private events inside a registered historic landmark.

General William Moultrie Playground

Wheelchair-accessible neighborhood playground on Ashley Avenue, named for the Revolutionary War general who defended Sullivan's Island in 1776.

Historic Charleston Foundation

Preservation nonprofit on East Bay running house museums, educational programs, and advocacy for Charleston's built environment since 1947.

Gullah Geechee Black History Tours

Walking tours rooted in Gullah Geechee culture and Black history, led by guides with direct ties to the Lowcountry community.

Ghosts of the South Candlelight

Candlelit walking tour threading through the French Quarter's churchyards and antebellum streets after dark.

Pinckney Park

Quiet James Island neighborhood park with a playground, open lawn, and marsh views off Fort Johnson Road.

When I First Remember(Old Bethel United Methodist Church)

Spirit Line Cruises

Narrated harbor cruises departing Patriots Point, with views of Fort Sumter, the Ravenel Bridge, and the Charleston peninsula.

Wahoo Fishing Charters

Half-day and full-day offshore and inshore fishing charters departing from Ashley Point on the west side of the peninsula.

Fountain at north entrance of Waterfront Park

Pineapple-shaped fountain at the Cooper River end of Waterfront Park, open for wading.

Gray Line of Charleston

Narrated bus tours of the peninsula, departing from Meeting Street, with routes covering historic districts and landmarks.

Horse Lot Park

Compact public green on the Charleston Peninsula where Chisolm meets the waterfront, popular with dogs and strollers.

SpiritLine Cruises

Narrated sightseeing and dinner cruises departing from the downtown waterfront on the Cooper River.

Hazel Parker Playground

Accessible waterfront playground on East Bay, set between the harbor and the French Quarter.

The Original Pub & Brewery Tours of Charleston

Guided walking tours hitting Charleston's bars and breweries, departing from the Market Street area.

Patriots Point Nature Trail

Two-mile loop through maritime forest and marsh at the base of Patriots Point, with views of the Ravenel Bridge and Cooper River.

Fort Sumter Ferry

Boat tour to the harbor fort where the Civil War started. National Park Service runs it.