Things To Do & Eat

Rainbow Row

After the Civil War, this area of Charleston devolved into near slum conditions. In the early 1900s, Dorothy Porcher Legge purchased a section of these houses numbering 99 through 101 East Bay and began to renovate them. She chose to paint these houses pink based on a colonial Caribbean color scheme. Other owners and future owners followed suit, creating the “rainbow” of pastel colors present today.

The Battery

A landmark defensive seawall and promenade in Charleston, famous for its stately antebellum homes. Named for a civil-war coastal defense artillery battery at the site, it stretches along the lower shores of the Charleston peninsula, bordered by the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, which meet here to form Charleston harbor.

Folly Beach

Sullivans Island

Pineapple Fountain

Pineapple motifs are common in Charleston and represent hospitality. This beautiful fountain was built in 1990 – the spring after Hurricane Hugo.

Angel Oak Tree

A beautiful 500 year old Oak tree surrounded by legends and history

Palmetto Carriage Works

Daily tours that depart from the Big Red Barn every 15 to 20 minutes rain or shine beginning at 9 a.m. Tours are 1-hour long and cover around 25 blocks of residential and historic districts.

Charleston Harbor Tours

Charleston Harbor Tours is the longest running harbor tour company in Charleston, serving her guests since 1908. The Harbor of History Tour lasts 90 minutes and is non- stop, fascinating, live-narrated, featuring 75 Charleston attractions spanning almost 20 miles.

South Carolina Aquarium

The South Carolina Aquarium is located on the Charleston Harbor at Aquarium Wharf. The aquarium has over 10,000 aquatic animals from across the state of South Carolina, along with 60 displays and exhibits including the state's only Sea Turtle Hospital as well as an interactive touch tank with hermit crabs, whelk, sea urchins, horseshoe crabs, and Atlantic stingrays.

Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens

One of America's oldest plantations still in operation. It has continually produced agricultural crops for over 320 years and is open for public tours. Features the world famous Avenue of Oaks, tractor tours across the entire property, the only live Gullah presentations in the area, Black History In America Exhibit, gardens that are a showcase of color, and a colonial revival style 1936 mansion.

Charleston City Market

In search of souvenirs? Handmade gifts? Delicious treats? You found the place! Stretching all down Market St there are over 300 vendors at the city market. Open daily 9:30am-5pm.

Fort Sumter National Monument

Explore a piece of US history with a trip to Fort Sumter. Here, the first shots of the Civil War were fired in 1861. For $30, you'll take a beautiful harborside boat tour to the fort and enjoy walking the grounds as well as snacks as you learn what lead up to the war and who the key players were. Open daily, 9:30am-3pm

Restaurants

Charleston has become a culinary hotspot with great options from casual to fine dining. Here are some great options to check out! Husk Award winning Southern cuisine 76 Queen St, Charleston Halls Chophouse Best Steakhouse in Charleston 434 King St, Charleston FIG Hard to get reservations, but well worth it! 232 Meeting St, Charleston 167 Raw A New England style oyster bar 193 King St, Charleston 5Church New American cuisine served up in a former church 32B N Market St, Charleston Leon's Oyster Shop Authentic local oyster bar 698 King St, Charleston Anson Restaurant A local classic. 12 Anson St, Charleston Darling Oyster Bar Another highly recommended oyster spot! 513 King St, Charleston Looking for Casual Lunch or Brunch? Tattooed Moose, Charleston Millers All Day, Charleston Paige's Okra Grill, Mt. Pleasant Tavern and Table, Shem Creek Lost Dog, Folly Beach Stellas, Charleston Basic Kitchen, Charleston

Breweries & Distilleries

If you need to quench your thirst while in town, check out these favorites. Revelry Brewing 10 Conroy St, Charleston Edmund's Oast Brewing Co. 1081 Morrison Dr, Charleston Palmetto Brewing Co. 289 Huger St, Charleston Estuary Beans and Barley 3538 Meek's Farm Rd, Johns Island Striped Pig Distillery 2225-A Old School Dr, Charleston Firefly Distillery 4201 Spruill Ave, North Charleston

Check out more things to do here!