Best things to do in Charleston

James Island County Park

This serene park with tidal creeks & trails is a popular spot for biking, crabbing & camping.

Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve

Oceanside preserve featuring a lighthouse, a beach, surf fishing, birdwatching & more.

Hampton Park

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

Shem Creek Park

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

Cypress Gardens

Swamp garden with giant cypress trees offering boat tours plus a butterfly house attraction.

Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park

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

White Point Garden

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

Colonial Lake Park

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

Isle of Palms County Park

Beachfront park offering a playground & umbrella rentals, plus grills & a sand volleyball court.

Campground at James Island County Park

Campground with a store, bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, grills & activity center in a 643-acre natural park.

Palmetto Islands County Park

A 943-acre nature setting with paved trails, picnic sites & access for fishing, crabbing & kayaking.

Waterfront Park

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

North Charleston Wannamaker County Park

Sprawling expanse of woodlands & wetlands with grills & picnic spots, plus a fee-based water park.

Folly Beach Pier

The 1,049-foot fishing pier at the heart of Folly Beach — rebuilt in 2023 with the original's sightline restored. Walk-on access is free; fishing requires a county permit. Open daily, lit at night, with a tackle shop and bathrooms at the pier head. The pier runs east into the Atlantic, which makes it one of Charleston's most photographed sunset spots — the light at golden hour is genuinely better behind you than ahead.

Shem Creek Boardwalk

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

Melton Peter Demetre Park

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

Kiawah Beachwalker Park

The only public access to Kiawah Island's ten miles of hard-packed sand. Wide, flat, walkable.

Ocean Walk at Pitt Street Bridge Park

Paved waterfront path along a converted rail bridge in Old Mt Pleasant, with marsh views, dog walkers, and open sky in every direction.

Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park

A pair of historic military sites with roots dating from 1776 & featuring Charleston Harbor views.

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.

Stono River County Park

Tidal park on Johns Island with boat access, walking trails, and marsh views along the Stono River.

Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site

Colonial-era settlement with many original buildings & ruins, archaeological digs & guided tours.

Washington Square

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

Liberty Square

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

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.

Night Heron Park

Wooded park on Kiawah Island with beach access, a nature center, and dog-friendly trails along the marsh edge.

Pirate Park

Small neighborhood park on Pierce Street with a pirate-themed playground, free parking, and room for dogs.

Brittlebank Park

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

Quarterman Park

Cozy public park known for its tended green spaces & central pond with a charming fountain.

Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site

Tours & interactive exhibits at the birthplace of the Carolina colony, first settled in 1670.

West Ashley Park

Expansive landscaped park with soccer & softball fields, a disc golf course, fishing & playgrounds.

Smythe Park

Grassy waterfront park on Daniel Island with a playground, open lawn, and direct access to the Wando River.

Ackerman Park

Neighborhood park on Sycamore Ave with open lawns, dog access, and wheelchair-accessible paths in West Ashley.

Theodora Park

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

Station 25 - Public Beach Access

Free public beach access point on Sullivan's Island with parking, a reliable entry for families skipping the Isle of Palms crowds.

Governors Park

Shaded neighborhood park off Fairbanks Oak Alley with live oaks, open lawn, and room for dogs and kids.

Pickett Park

Park offering a jogging & biking trail with harbor & sunset views, plus fishing areas & boat launch.

Corrine Jones Park

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

Station 23 - Public Beach Access

Narrow public beach access point on Sullivan's Island where locals park along Middle Street and walk straight to the Atlantic.

Magnolia Plantation Gardens

Romantic-style gardens dating to 1680. Azaleas peak in March; camellias bloom all winter.

Charles Pinckney National Historic Site

Remnants of a 1700s plantation, with indoor & outdoor exhibits on Charles Pinckney's life & times.

Waterfront Swings

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

Riverfront Park

This popular green space along the Cooper River features a large meadow & performance pavilion.

Thomson Park

Station 28 1/2 - - Public Beach Access

Childrens Park Daniel Island

Waterfront park on Daniel Island with climbing structures, open lawn, and river views for kids and dogs.

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.

McMahon Playground

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

Dock Street Park

Small neighborhood park on Sprague Street with grass, room for dogs, and a low-key place to let kids run.

General William Moultrie Playground

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

The Climbing Wall at James Island County Park

County park climbing wall off Riverland Drive, open to beginners and experienced climbers, with instruction available.

Pinckney Park

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

Station 30 - Public Beach Access

Station 22 1/2 - Public Beach Access

Station 18 - Public Beach Access

Station 24 - Public Beach Access

Station 28 - - Public Beach Access

Horse Lot Park

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

Station 32 - Public Beach Access

Hazel Parker Playground

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

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.

Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge

The iconic 2.5-mile cable-stayed bridge over the Cooper River with a dedicated pedestrian + bike lane on the north side, connecting downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant.

Station 31 - Public Beach Access