Food Scene
Bustling eatery & bar serving up seafood, including raw-bar items, in a grand, classic setting.
93 locals recommend
R.B.'s Seafood Restaurant
97 Church StBustling eatery & bar serving up seafood, including raw-bar items, in a grand, classic setting.
Modern Southern & Lowcountry cuisine served in an airy, 18th-century warehouse.
87 locals recommend
Slightly North of Broad Restaurant
192 E Bay StModern Southern & Lowcountry cuisine served in an airy, 18th-century warehouse.
Spacious, refined eatery featuring Lowcountry fare cooked using ingredients from nearby farms.
53 locals recommend
High Cotton Charleston Restaurant
199 E Bay StSpacious, refined eatery featuring Lowcountry fare cooked using ingredients from nearby farms.
Bar & Restaurants
Stylish rooftop bar offering imaginative craft cocktails, sandwiches & light bites with city views.
119 locals recommend
The Rooftop Bar at The Vendue
19 Vendue RangeStylish rooftop bar offering imaginative craft cocktails, sandwiches & light bites with city views.
Rustic-chic Modern American restaurant with creative cocktails & a Jazz Age theme.
108 locals recommend
Prohibition
547 King StRustic-chic Modern American restaurant with creative cocktails & a Jazz Age theme.
Stylish speakeasy-style bar serving craft cocktails, plus a rooftop terrace.
208 locals recommend
The Cocktail Club
479 King StStylish speakeasy-style bar serving craft cocktails, plus a rooftop terrace.
Sightseeing
A place where tourists and locals gather to relax and enjoy the views of Charleston Harbor, the 12-acre Waterfront Park stretches along more than 1,000 feet of waterfront. Old-fashioned park benches and double swings face the water, where sailboats and larger ships are common sights.
321 locals recommend
Waterfront Park
Concord StreetA place where tourists and locals gather to relax and enjoy the views of Charleston Harbor, the 12-acre Waterfront Park stretches along more than 1,000 feet of waterfront. Old-fashioned park benches and double swings face the water, where sailboats and larger ships are common sights.
It's not just garden lovers who will be enchanted by the year-round beauty of Magnolia Plantation's extensive gardens. These are America's oldest publicly accessed gardens, first opened to visitors in 1870, although portions of them date to two centuries earlier. They are also the nation's last large-scale Romantic-style garden, in contrast to most show gardens where nature is controlled and shaped by formal beds, paths, and landscaping.
395 locals recommend
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
3550 Ashley River RdIt's not just garden lovers who will be enchanted by the year-round beauty of Magnolia Plantation's extensive gardens. These are America's oldest publicly accessed gardens, first opened to visitors in 1870, although portions of them date to two centuries earlier. They are also the nation's last large-scale Romantic-style garden, in contrast to most show gardens where nature is controlled and shaped by formal beds, paths, and landscaping.
One of the most popular things to do in Charleston is to browse through the old market building, a prominent landmark in the historic district. Lively and colorful, it is a good place for souvenir shopping and just absorbing the local atmosphere.
Vendors sell locally made handcrafts and traditional food products like stone-ground grits, but the prime souvenirs of Charleston are the beautiful sweetgrass baskets. As tourists watch fascinated, Gullah artisans in the open-air "sheds" alongside the market hall weave these intricate works of art from native Lowcountry rushes, creating treasures that are among the country's oldest and most highly prized traditional crafts. The techniques and patterns originated in West Africa, and these baskets are the quintessential souvenir of Charleston.
364 locals recommend
Historic Charleston City Market
188 Meeting StOne of the most popular things to do in Charleston is to browse through the old market building, a prominent landmark in the historic district. Lively and colorful, it is a good place for souvenir shopping and just absorbing the local atmosphere.
Vendors sell locally made handcrafts and traditional food products like stone-ground grits, but the prime souvenirs of Charleston are the beautiful sweetgrass baskets. As tourists watch fascinated, Gullah artisans in the open-air "sheds" alongside the market hall weave these intricate works of art from native Lowcountry rushes, creating treasures that are among the country's oldest and most highly prized traditional crafts. The techniques and patterns originated in West Africa, and these baskets are the quintessential souvenir of Charleston.
One of the most popular things to do for families in Charleston is the South Carolina Aquarium. Despite its name, it isn't just home to underwater creatures. Birds, land-dwelling mammals, plants, and reptiles join the sea inhabitants in every kid's favorite Charleston attraction.
489 locals recommend
South Carolina Aquarium
100 Aquarium WharfOne of the most popular things to do for families in Charleston is the South Carolina Aquarium. Despite its name, it isn't just home to underwater creatures. Birds, land-dwelling mammals, plants, and reptiles join the sea inhabitants in every kid's favorite Charleston attraction.
Fun Activities & Entertainment
Take some time to kick back, relax and enjoy the Southern sun. Overlooking the Atlantic – 12 miles south of downtown Charleston – this massive stretch of coastline makes for a great daytrip away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Come here for the nature and the surfing, or head to the pier to sit and fish. Folly Beach's friendly atmosphere attracts a variety of travelers: most of the families stick to the shore, while adults traveling sans kids tend to congregate in the many bars that line the sand. If you're hoping to lay claim to some fine beach real estate, you better get here early: Past visitors said the beach can get crowded as the afternoon progresses. If you didn't bring your own beach chair, you can rent one near the beach, along with umbrellas and nonmotorized sports equipment.
580 locals recommend
Folly Beach
East Ashley AvenueTake some time to kick back, relax and enjoy the Southern sun. Overlooking the Atlantic – 12 miles south of downtown Charleston – this massive stretch of coastline makes for a great daytrip away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Come here for the nature and the surfing, or head to the pier to sit and fish. Folly Beach's friendly atmosphere attracts a variety of travelers: most of the families stick to the shore, while adults traveling sans kids tend to congregate in the many bars that line the sand. If you're hoping to lay claim to some fine beach real estate, you better get here early: Past visitors said the beach can get crowded as the afternoon progresses. If you didn't bring your own beach chair, you can rent one near the beach, along with umbrellas and nonmotorized sports equipment.
There are a variety of tours and operators (including private charters) in Charleston that offer a bevy of experiences for all types of travelers. Adventure Harbor Tours receives high praise from previous visitors for its Morris Island tours and sunset cruises. If you're looking for a more formally narrated experience, sign up for a Charleston Harbor Tour, which has a fleet of boats that can accommodate hundreds of passengers.
8 locals recommend
Charleston Speed Boat Adventures
56 Ashley Point DrThere are a variety of tours and operators (including private charters) in Charleston that offer a bevy of experiences for all types of travelers. Adventure Harbor Tours receives high praise from previous visitors for its Morris Island tours and sunset cruises. If you're looking for a more formally narrated experience, sign up for a Charleston Harbor Tour, which has a fleet of boats that can accommodate hundreds of passengers.
Visitors will find one of Charleston's most photographed icons on Johns Island: the Angel Oak. It is said to be the largest live oak east of the Mississippi. The gorgeous tree is 65 feet high, with a circumference of 25.5 feet. It's estimated that the tree shades an area of nearly 20,000 square feet and is between 300 and 400 years old. Visitors in the thousands flock to the tree to pose next to its long limbs.
Recent visitors said the tree is worth a quick stop to take a photo of the magnificent natural wonder. Others warned that there are lots of rules to be observed and noted that you'll want to make sure to keep a sharp eye on your kids, who will naturally be tempted to climb the tree.
440 locals recommend
Angel Oak Tree
3688 Angel Oak RdVisitors will find one of Charleston's most photographed icons on Johns Island: the Angel Oak. It is said to be the largest live oak east of the Mississippi. The gorgeous tree is 65 feet high, with a circumference of 25.5 feet. It's estimated that the tree shades an area of nearly 20,000 square feet and is between 300 and 400 years old. Visitors in the thousands flock to the tree to pose next to its long limbs.
Recent visitors said the tree is worth a quick stop to take a photo of the magnificent natural wonder. Others warned that there are lots of rules to be observed and noted that you'll want to make sure to keep a sharp eye on your kids, who will naturally be tempted to climb the tree.
Shopping Malls
The Spa at Belmond Charleston Place
205 Meeting StCitadel Mall
2070 Sam Rittenberg BlvdSouth Windermere Center
80 Folly Rd BlvdTransportation & Tours
Old South Carriage Company, owned and operated by the same family since 1983, features some of the finest tour guides, draft horses, and carriages in historic Charleston. Stop by our stable at 14 Anson Street to meet our professional staff and see for yourself the quality of our operation. Not only are our tour guides extensively trained, but when you see our stable, our horses, and our carriages you will immediately appreciate the care and attention to detail that Old South Carriage Company dedicates to guarantee a quality tour
32 locals recommend
Old South Carriage Company
14 Anson StOld South Carriage Company, owned and operated by the same family since 1983, features some of the finest tour guides, draft horses, and carriages in historic Charleston. Stop by our stable at 14 Anson Street to meet our professional staff and see for yourself the quality of our operation. Not only are our tour guides extensively trained, but when you see our stable, our horses, and our carriages you will immediately appreciate the care and attention to detail that Old South Carriage Company dedicates to guarantee a quality tour
Charleston Water Taxi
10 Wharfside StBoat Tours
Water Adventure
Wild Water & Wheels your destination for FUN this summer! Wild Water & Wheels is packed full of fun things to do and a large number of attractions. Sit back and relax – it’s a party your child will never forget!
68 locals recommend
Wild Water & Wheels
910 US-17 BUSWild Water & Wheels your destination for FUN this summer! Wild Water & Wheels is packed full of fun things to do and a large number of attractions. Sit back and relax – it’s a party your child will never forget!
Outdoor, summertime amusements at Wannamaker Park, with waterslides, a wave pool & more.
33 locals recommend
Whirlin' Waters Adventure Waterpark
8888 University BlvdOutdoor, summertime amusements at Wannamaker Park, with waterslides, a wave pool & more.
Myrtle Waves is a water park attraction in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the largest of the five water parks in the area and in the state. The park has been operating each season since opening on June 1, 1985. As of the 2019 season it featured 22 slides and attractions across 12 water rides.[1] The park is owned by Lazarus Entertainment Group which also maintains the Broadway Grand Prix and Wild Water and Wheels family entertainment venues in Myrtle Beach
107 locals recommend
Myrtle Waves Water Park
3000 Mr. Joe White AveMyrtle Waves is a water park attraction in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the largest of the five water parks in the area and in the state. The park has been operating each season since opening on June 1, 1985. As of the 2019 season it featured 22 slides and attractions across 12 water rides.[1] The park is owned by Lazarus Entertainment Group which also maintains the Broadway Grand Prix and Wild Water and Wheels family entertainment venues in Myrtle Beach