Tours, parks, gardens, plantations, water — what to do with a free afternoon.
Passenger ferry connecting Daniel Island's Waterfront to downtown Charleston, running daily with free parking at the River Landing dock.
400+ year old live oak on Johns Island. Free to visit. Branches that touch the ground.
Campground with a store, bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, grills & activity center in a 643-acre natural park.
Paved public beach access on Sullivan's Island with free parking, a boardwalk, and dog-friendly shoreline off Middle Street.
Guided kayak tours through the tidal creeks and marshes off the Ashley River, with free parking on site.
Free natural history museum inside College of Charleston's science building, with fossil collections, minerals, and regional specimens.
Ornate, circa-1808 home known for its "free-flying" 3-story spiral staircase, with guided tours.
Canoe and kayak outfitter on the Edisto River, running guided tours and rentals through one of the longest free-flowing blackwater rivers in the country.
Small neighborhood park on Pierce Street with a pirate-themed playground, free parking, and room for dogs.
Free public beach access point on Sullivan's Island with parking, a reliable entry for families skipping the Isle of Palms crowds.
Ticket-bundling tour agency in a Mount Pleasant strip mall handling logistics for Charleston-area attractions.
Flat, wooded county park off SC-41 with trails, open fields, and free parking for dogs and strollers alike.
Free public swings overlooking the Cooper River at Waterfront Park, a reliable stop for kids and anyone who wants a harbor view.
Dolphin-spotting boat tours departing from the Charleston waterfront at Immigration Street, with free parking on-site.
Neighborhood park on Cleveland Street with standard playground equipment, open lawn, and free parking in the upper peninsula.
Charleston's downtown galleries open their doors on the first Friday of March, May, October, and December — wine in plastic cups, new shows, no cover.
King Street closes to cars on the first Sunday of every month — a four-block walking street of vendors, music, and open shops from Calhoun to Queen.