First-time and repeat visitors will never run out of things to do and see in Charleston, South Carolina. The charming, historic southern city always is filled with history and beautiful sites during the daytime and a bursting nightlife. All in one town, visitors can walk historic streets, see historic and modern buildings and businesses and enjoy water views on the harbor.
Historic Attractions
The historic peninsula is home to hundreds of historic attractions, buildings, museums and areas. One of the most popular attractions is Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, located on the Charleston Harbor and accessed near the town of Mt. Pleasant. Guests can tour the historic aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, which showcases several aircrafts inside and outside, and several other ships and submarines that were used in the early and mid 1900s. Fort Sumter National Monument is another popular historic attraction in Charleston. Also located at Charleston Harbor and accessed on Concord Street near the southeastern tip of the Charleston peninsula, Fort Sumter was a confederate fort used during the Civil War. The City of Charleston also is home to many historic homes and museums, businesses churches and cemeteries most located in the downtown area.
Family Attractions
Families will enjoy visiting the South Carolina Aquarium, which is situated on the Charleston Harbor off Calhoun Street. At it, families can tour the aquarium to see such animals as the river otter, sharks, turtles, snakes, crabs, octopus and various birds in the aviary, as well as special animals like the Albino Alligator and the Magellanic penguins in the Penguin Planet. They also can touch various creatures like crabs, sea urchins and stingrays in the Touch Tank. Families with older children might enjoy Thriller Charleston, off Ashley Point Drive, that takes guests on a powerboat adventures to the Morris Island Lighthouse. Nearby beaches include Folly Beach, Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island.
Tours
Several companies boast historic daytime walking tours, carriage ride tours and nighttime ghost story tours, but a self-guided walking tour also is enjoyable since you get to make your own schedule of locations and time. A simple walk through downtown will find guests in with several parks, churches and cemeteries and other historic sites, as well as modern restaurants and trendy shops. Some popular attractions include the Battery and White Point Gardens park, which offer views of the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, and Sullivan's Island and several historic sites. Waterfront Park, near East Bay and Broad streets, features a pier on the Charleston Harbor with views of Patriots Point, several fountains and boaters along the Harbor. The Market, on Market Street in downtown Charleston, is comprised of individual vendors selling handmade and unique items and women weaving baskets, and is outlined by modern restaurants and shops. Others points of interest include the College of Charleston and the Cathedral of St. John The Baptist on Broad Street.
Golfing
The outskirts of Charleston are home to several golf courses. The one nearest town is at the Country Club of Charleston, located off state highway 171 on the way to James Island and Folly Beach. It's an 18-hole golf course that offers marsh views and sights of nearby Charleston Harbor. The club also offers a ballroom and several other large rooms for various functions. The historic Charleston City Golf Course, off state Highway 700, offers daily golfing times on its course, as well as championships for adults and children throughout the year. Charleston National Golf Club in Mt. Pleasant and Kiawah Island Golf Club are nearby.
Nightlife
At night, all types of people--visitors and locals, college students and young adults--are found scattered around downtown, especially along Market Street, usually grabbing a nice dinner or drinks with friends. Some of the most popular downtown restaurant choices include the Charleston Crab House on Market Street, Hank's Seafood Restaurant on Hayne Street near Church Street, Southend Brewery & Smokehouse in the historic building on East Bay Street near the Charleston Harbor, Sticky Fingers barbecue on Meeting Street and the historic Poogan's Porch Restaurant for lowcountry cooking on Queen Street, among plenty of other choices all around town and in nearby Mt. Pleasant. Several restaurants and bars boast rooftop bars, which are pleasant in the spring and fall and even warmed during the winter months. At such places as Pavilion Bar on East Bay Street and the Vendue Inn, near East Bay and Queen streets, patrons can get city views while they enjoy drinks and food from the bars.
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