Location: Charleston
Top Things to do in Charleston
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What to do and see in Charleston, South Carolina (SC): The Best Sights & Landmarks
Historic Charleston is bursting with Southern charm and hospitality. The city feels a bit like it’s suspended in time, thanks to its antebellum architecture and surrounding plantation landscapes. Take in incredible views of the Battery and the French Quarter as you stroll the Waterfront Park, then become inspired by the cultivated beauty of the gardens at Middleton Place. At night, try a ghost tour for an introduction to the spooky side of the city.
Restaurants in Charleston
1. Aiken-Rhett House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,601 reviews
The Aiken-Rhett House (c. 1820) is one of the best-preserved townhouse complexes in the nation. Vastly expanded by Governor and Mrs. William Aiken, Jr. in the 1830s and again in the 1850s, the house and its outbuildings include a kitchen, the original quarters of the enslaved, carriage block and back lot. When Historic Charleston Foundation assumed ownership in 1995, we adopted a preserved-as-found preservation approach, meaning the structure and contents are left in an “as-found” state, including furniture, architecture and finishes that have not been altered since the mid 19th century. While many dependency buildings in Charleston have been demolished or adapted, the Aiken-Rhett slave quarters – with their original paint, floors and fixtures – survive virtually untouched since the 1850s, allowing visitors the chance to better comprehend the every-day realities of the enslaved Africans who lived and labored here. A 45-minute audio tour is available, last tour at 4pm.
Reviewed By DesigningWoman13 - Memphis, United States
This "preserved" house and slave quarters, with ts easy-to-use audio guide, gives you an excellent insight into how the upper classes lived in the 18th and 19th centuries, along with a good perspective on the slave side of the experience. Good, rounded view.
2. Nathaniel Russell House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,952 reviews
A National Historic Landmark, the Nathaniel Russell House Museum was completed in 1808 by merchant Nathaniel Russell. The home’s graceful, free-flying, three-story staircase is an architectural marvel and the elegant interiors with elaborate plasterwork, geometrically shaped rooms, formal gardens and collection of 18th-century decorative and fine art speak to the wealth of Charleston’s elite in the early days of the American Republic. Restored to its original splendor using forensic analysis and cutting-edge conservation technology by our curatorial staff, we ensure the highest standards of old-world expertise to replicate the finishes, fixtures and textiles appropriate for this 200-year old townhouse. The 18 enslaved Africans that lived on and maintained this property are an integral part of its history. Archaeological artifacts, educational panels and ongoing restoration of the enslaved quarters are vital to learning more about the enslaved and telling their important stories.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Nathaniel Russell, a wealthy shipping merchant, built this magnificent three-story, Federal-style, 9,600-square-foot rectangular townhouse in 1808. Today, it is recognized as one of America's most important Neoclassical houses. It was designated a National Landmark in 1960 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. Located at 51 Meeting Street in Charleston, South Carolina, the prestigious house was built to display Russell's prominence as one of the wealthiest citizens of the community. Constructed of Carolina gray brick, the three-bay entrance front emphasizes height rather than width with the main living areas on the second and third levels. The first-story entrance front is dominated by the residence's grand entrance door. The house features three main rooms per floor, each of different geometric designs: a front rectangular room, a center oval room and a square room in the rear. The most important architectural feature of the house is the elliptical spiral staircase, which ascends three floors and is showcased by a golden walled stair hall. The second floor oval drawing room is the most highly decorated room in the house and is where the women of the house retired to after dinner. Papered in apricot, it features elaborate plaster moldings covered with 24-karat gold leaf. The Adamesque ornamentation of the fireplaces' mantles and cornices are among the most detailed in the city. Though most of the art and furniture displayed in the house are not original to the Nathaniel Russell House, they are of the correct period when the Russell family inhabited the house and many are of Charleston origin. The house and grounds are separated from the street by a brick and wrought iron fence with the entrance gate flanked by tall brick columns. To the south of the house is the garden that was originally laid out in a geometric arrangement with patterned beds of flowers, ornamental shrubs and large orange and grapefruit trees. Today, a formal English garden can be found with gravel paths, boxwood hedges and plants favored in the 19th century. In the rear of the house is the two-story slave quarters that housed many of the 18 slaves that lived and worked at the Nathaniel Russell House.
3. Heyward-Washington House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 394 reviews
Historic mansion open to the public.
Reviewed By BilB126357 - Boston, United States
I absolutely loved this beautiful house! The tour guide was very informative and thorough. The house was perfectly decorated with wonderful antique furniture and is in a beautiful neighborhood.
4. The Charleston Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,039 reviews
The Charleston Museum, America's First Museum, founded in 1773. Its mission is to preserve and interpret the cultural and natural history of Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry. We invite you to explore this rich, varied history at the Museum and its two National Historic Landmark houses, The Joseph Manigault and Heyward Washington Historic Houses. All are located downtown, in America's Most Historic City. Featuring: Lowcountry History, Historic Armory, Charleston in the Revolutionary War, "City Under Seige" (civil war), The Bunting Natural History Gallery, Kidstory, and Historic Textiles Gallery.
Reviewed By robinbeam - Oklahoma City, United States
We went to this museum as part of our Charleston Tour Pass. It is small, but very well curated. The display of local silver was lovely. They also have items from a local whale skeleton to an Egyptian mummy. Very eclectic.
5. Fort Sumter National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,603 reviews
Learn all about this storied spot of the first clash between the Union and Confederate armies in the Civil War, in which the Union forces finally surrendered after a 34-hour bombardment by the Rebels.
Reviewed By lrb06901
Knowledgeable NP rangers at the visitor center, lovely boat ride and memorable flag raising ceremony in the morning for those that helped AND watched to raise our flag.
6. Magnolia Plantation & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,816 reviews
South Carolina's Most Visited Plantation and Gardens. National Registry of Historic Places. Ancient Oak Avenue. Tours full of History. World Famous Gardens of the 19th Century "Romantic Style". Selected by Travel + Leisure (2014) as the only South Carolina garden deemed one of "America's Most Beautiful Gardens". Reconstruction Period Plantation Home Tour. Award Winning Slave Cabin Tour. Very popular Nature-Train Tour. Rice Field Boat Tour. Family Oriented. Petting Zoo and Nature Center. Audubon Swamp Self-Guided Tour. Amazing Nesting Rookery. If you have only one Plantation to see, don't miss us!
Reviewed By barnettmail64
Had a wonderful trip around plantation lots to see Very interesting plus fabulous little petting zoo Shawn our driver was brilliant made the trip Good knowledge and vey informative Passionate about magnolia gardens Would definitely recommend a lovely day out
7. St. Michael's Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 789 reviews
Charleston's oldest church has been tolling its bells on the hour since 1764. Dynamic Downtown Worship in the Anglican Tradition
Reviewed By yellowstone1 - Williamsburg, United States
We went from our hotel, French Quarter Inn (great hotel and I would most recommend this place but it is expensive but you get a lot for the price) actually we were on a private tour and Linda stopped to let us see this holy place and we were able to enter the sanctuary and see the Tiffany glass windows and the pulpit and the pew where George Washington attended services.
8. Drayton Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,909 reviews
Circa 1738, Drayton Hall is the oldest unrestored plantation house in America still open to the public.
Reviewed By TurtleGirlGonzales - Dallas, United States
This is a must do for those interested in history, architecture etc. House is original, having survived the American Revolution and the Civil War--quite moving. Tour Guide Mary Jo? Mary Lou? was knowledgeable, interesting and lots of fun! It is empty and the impact of that is profound. It is preserved, not restored. To walk the same staircase as Cornwallis? Amazing! Take your time here, walk the African American cemetery near the entrance gates as well.
9. College of Charleston
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 701 reviews
The College of Charleston is a nationally recognized public liberal arts and sciences university located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina. Founded in 1770, the College is among the nation’s top universities for quality education, student life and affordability. The College offers a distinctive combination of a beautiful and historic campus, modern facilities and cutting-edge programs.
Reviewed By robinbeam - Oklahoma City, United States
This is a gorgeous college campus that is the oldest municipal college in the US. It is well incorporated into the surrounding community. The architecture is beautiful.
10. The Citadel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 737 reviews
A historic military college best known for its Moorish-inspired architecture.
Reviewed By DayTrip593509
My grandson is a 3rd classman (sophomore} at The Citadel so I have visited the campus several times over the past couple of years. Apart from the barracks (which are open to non-cadets only a few times a year) outsiders are welcome to explore the campus. The campus is pretty impressive. Must-sees are the chapel, the bookstore, and a small museum. There is also a parade of the entire regiment MOST Friday afternoons while school is in session, complete with band, bagpipes and cannon. (Be sure to check the on-line calendar for times and dates.) Apart from those engaged in PT, cadets will be wearing uniforms. Cadets are uniformly polite and helpful to visitors and should be able to answer questions. Remember that they are probably on the way to class or some other obligatory event, so keep it brief. You will probably observe some cadets moving around campus at double-time. These are "knobs" (4th classmen / freshmen). Bottom line, if you're in Charleston while school is in session (Aug - May), you should add a Citadel visit to the list of things to do
