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Charleston lures tourists due to its southern charm and beckons to experience the greatness of historic downtown. The splendor of mansions and grandeur of plantations above all make Charleston a great getaway. Among numerous historic sites, beauteous parks and bars and restaurants find out about unique things to do in Charleston SC, to see and to enjoy while in Charleston. Continue reading to check Call It Adventure Charleston SC itinerary.A useful tip before leaving on a road to Charleston would be to have a proper map of the Historic Downtown of Charleston. Not an app on the phone, but an actual illustrated map that is a pure joy to use while walking around the city.
Check the Charleston Historic District Illustrated Map. It is from the series of maps I like for its awesome illustrations.
Also, if you plan to stay in Charleston for a couple of days and visit some of the attractions that require tickets, I suggest purchasing TourPass for Charleston. TourPass gives access to more than 40 Charleston’s attractions with a 55% discount or more. You can choose a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5-day pass. Attractions that go with TourPass include Fort Sumter, Ghost Tours, Plantations, Museums, Carriage, Bus Tours, Cultural Sites, and many more.
Read more information in TourPass here.
Breakfast
First of all, there is no better way to start a southern vacation than with a delicious brunch in the best traditions of hospitable South. Check 82 Queen restaurant in a gorgeous French Quarter to start the day just right.
Southern kitchen is a legend itself. Bringing Southern vibes to your home table would be a great souvenir from your Charleston vacation. Winning authors from Charleston can help with the recipes and ideas. Check The Lee Bros. Charleston Kitchen recipe book to bring back the memories from vacation `when you’re home.
Address: 82 Queen Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Hours: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Price range: $11-30
Chapel Street Fountain Park
Certainly an iconic site with a stunner fountain stands aside from busy downtown and magnifies with greatness and calmness is one of the hidden gems among Charleston places to go.
Address: 52 Chapel St, Charleston, SC 29403
King Street
From Chapel Street head west to find yourself in the street with a history probably at every corner with eclectic restaurants, vibrant shops and antique galleries that create a vibrant atmosphere of historic downtown.
Preservation Society of Charleston
Seems like the best place to shop for souvenirs, rare books and unique gifts to remember related with Charleston, Preservation Society, is located in the southern part of King Street.
Address: 147 King St, Charleston, SC 29401
Hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Old Slave Mart Museum
While being one of the biggest and oldest cities in the South Charleston is directly related to the slave trade. Old Slave Mart Museum, an old slave market building, where the first sale of a 20-year old woman named Lucinda took place commemorates the darkest period of the history and serves as a living reminder to treat each other with respect and dignity.
Address: 6 Chalmers St, Charleston, SC 29401
Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Admission: free
Coffee with purpose
Bitty and Beu seems like a regular coffee shop. In contrast, it is a place with a special purpose: to make everyone appreciated and needed. Bitty and Beu’s concept is to value, accept and encourage people with IDD (intellectual and developmental disabilities). Therefore, the shop is run by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Address: 159 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401
Hours: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Price range: Inexpensive
South Broad And Historic Downtown
Tourists favorite Charleston place to go. Head south to wander around Historic District and South Broad district. While being famous for historic houses, ironwork and beautiful gardens downtown has a unique personality with a touch of old times. Better explored by foot Historic District and South Broad provides endless opportunities to enjoy magnificent past of the rich South region.
The Battery Park
Walk along the palatial promenade with marvelous houses to enjoy the views of the harbor to absorb the remarkable and vibrant south spirit.
Address: East Battery Str, Charleston, SC 29401
Rainbow Row
Thirteen colorful historic houses, painted in pastel colors, present the longest row of Georgian houses in the United States. Located on East Bay Street Rainbow Row is one of the most photographed parts of the city.
Address: 83 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
Dinner
Head to a place that celebrates local food and local farmers. Slightly North of Broad is a direction and a vibrant name for a dynamic place. S.N.O.B. or Slightly North of Broad pose a dining room with an open kitchen and offers a classy southern menu and warm atmosphere.
Address: 192 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
Hours: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Price range: $31-60
Waterfront Park
Waterfront Park is relatively new among other Charleston attractions. Despite being a new addition to the list of things to see in Charleston, Waterfront Park is one of the most visited parks in the city. The park with numerous paths, benches and a gorgeous pineapple fountain offers beautiful views of the harbor and can be a perfect evening stroll.
Address: 1 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC 29401
Live music
Finally, a remarkable day deserves to be crowned with live entertainment. Charleston Grill on King Street is the best way to finish old town ramble with live music and delicious cocktails.
Address: 224 King St, Charleston, SC 29401
Hours: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Price range: $60 and up
If you are the lucky ones who decided to spend in here more than a day or a weekend, you might want to explore the attractions around the city. Extending Charleston SC itinerary can be a great idea considering the grandeur of worth visiting sites around the city.
Charleston Tea Plantation
For the reason that Charleston Tea Plantation is the one and only tea plantation in the United States gives a unique experience for tea lovers and alike.
Make sure to buy tea as a souvenir from this unique place. Or if you don’t have time to visit, but eager to try America’s only tea, here is an Amazon link to Charleston tea. Yeap, you can buy Charleston tea on Amazon right here and right now!
Address: 6617 Maybank Hwy, Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487
Hours: Mn-Sat 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Sun 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Angel Oak Tree
The legendary Angel Oak Tree is considered to be one of the oldest living organisms on the east coast and is one of the most visited Charleston attractions. Also, a fairy-tale looking tree is a source for local folklore stories and is a true symbol of Charleston.
Address: 3688 Angel Oak Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455
Hours: Mn-Sat 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sun 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Plantations and Gardens
Colonial South is rich in plantations and gardens. Therefore, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens and Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens are two undeniable gems worth visiting. Choose any or visit both to appreciate the beauty of southern nature in its greatness.
Magnolia Plantation
Address:3550 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414
Hours: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm
Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens
Address: 1235 Long Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Hours: Mn-Sat 8:30 am – 6:30 pm, Sun 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Isle of Palms
With all historical heritage and city attractions the fact is that a coastal city and provides opportunities to enjoy the Atlantic ocean. Head to the Isle of Palms for a relaxed day at the beach and take a book for a relaxed reading. My choice would be South of Broad: A Novel, New York #1 Bestseller by Pat Conroy about Charleston.
And if you are planning a real Southern getaway, you may want to check a nearby city of Savannah and combine Charleston and Savannah itinerary.
A Day In Savannah. 10 Things To Do
And if you’d been to Charleston a hundred times and seek for new and undiscovered things to do I recommend a book called 100 Things to Do in Charleston Before You Die. I didn’t read this one, but I have 100 Things To Do In Washington DC Before You Die which I really like. If you decide to check the one about Charleston, please write in comments what you think about it.
Thanks for reading Call It Adventure!