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Charleston, United States

Things to Do in Charleston

Top sights, the tours and tickets travellers book most, hidden gems and day trips.

Most booked:Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour

Most booked tours and tickets in Charleston

Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour

Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour

4.811,079 reviews1h
Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

4.97,032 reviews2h
Haunted Evening Horse and Carriage Tour of Charleston

Haunted Evening Horse and Carriage Tour of Charleston

4.74,421 reviews40m
Fort Sumter Access and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

Fort Sumter Access and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

4.63,959 reviews2h 15m
Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston

Charleston Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour: Explore Historic Charleston

4.83,864 reviews1h
Charleston Harbor Live Narrated History Day or Sunset Boat Cruise

Charleston Harbor Live Narrated History Day or Sunset Boat Cruise

4.43,294 reviews1h 30m
Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard

Ghosts of Charleston Walking Tour + Unitarian Church Graveyard

4.62,926 reviews1h 30m
Hidden Alleyways and Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour

Hidden Alleyways and Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour

4.92,697 reviews2h

Top sights in Charleston

  1. 1Rainbow Row
  2. 2Historic District Walking
  3. 3Magnolia Plantation
  4. 4French Quarter
  5. 5Lowcountry Cuisine
  6. 6Sullivan's Island Beach
  • For Unrivaled Historic Immersion: Walk the same cobblestones as pirates and patriots in the meticulously preserved Historic District. Tour Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, and explore the somber yet essential history at the International African American Museum on Gadsden's Wharf.
  • For a World-Class Culinary Adventure: Savor the unique flavors of the Lowcountry, from crispy fried green tomatoes at Husk to authentic shrimp and grits at Hominy Grill. The city is a haven for foodies, boasting a thriving farm-to-table scene and legendary oyster roasts.
  • For Architectural Grandeur and Southern Charm: Marvel at the antebellum mansions along The Battery, the pastel Georgian row houses of Rainbow Row, and the stunning Gothic Revival spire of St. Michael's Church. The city's beauty is best appreciated from a slow-moving horse-drawn carriage.

Tickets and passes in Charleston

Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket

Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket

4.62,024 reviews2h
USS Yorktown Ghost Tour with Exclusive Night-Time Access

USS Yorktown Ghost Tour with Exclusive Night-Time Access

4.8311 reviews1h 30m
Drayton Hall Admission Ticket with Interpreter-Guided Tour

Drayton Hall Admission Ticket with Interpreter-Guided Tour

4.6150 reviews1h

Food and drink experiences in Charleston

Charleston French Quarter or Brunch Food Tour with 7+ Tastings

Charleston French Quarter or Brunch Food Tour with 7+ Tastings

4.92,425 reviews3h
Charleston Haunted Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour

Charleston Haunted Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour

4.91,635 reviews2h 30m
Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class

Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class

5.01,006 reviews4h

Day trips and outdoor activities from Charleston

Charleston Eco Boat Cruise with stop at Morris Island Lighthouse

Charleston Eco Boat Cruise with stop at Morris Island Lighthouse

4.92,391 reviews2h 30m
Charleston Water Taxi Cruise with Dolphin Sighting

Charleston Water Taxi Cruise with Dolphin Sighting

4.81,096 reviews1h

Hidden gems in Charleston

Places most visitors miss, many of them free.

The Unitarian Church Graveyard

A hauntingly beautiful, overgrown cemetery in the heart of downtown, shaded by massive live oaks and filled with ancient, weathered tombstones.

Philip Simmons' House & Garden

The former home and workshop of the legendary African American ironworker, whose intricate gates and scrollwork adorn much of historic Charleston.

Caw Caw Interpretive Center

A former rice plantation turned into a stunning county park with miles of trails through wetlands, forests, and historic rice fields.

The Charleston Tea Garden

America's only large-scale tea plantation, located on Wadmalaw Island, where you can tour the fields and factory.

The Old City Jail

A foreboding, early 19th-century jail that once held pirates and Civil War prisoners, now offering guided historical tours.

Day trips from Charleston

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

30 min by car from downtown

America's last large-scale Romantic-style garden, dating to the 1670s. It's famed for its breathtaking azalea blooms in spring and year-round beauty with camellias, ancient live oaks, and wildlife-filled marshes.

Sullivan's Island & Isle of Palms

25 min by car from downtown

Escape to these serene barrier islands for wide, sandy beaches, historic Fort Moultrie, and a laid-back, residential vibe. Sullivan's Island has great dining, while Isle of Palms offers a classic beach town feel.

Beaufort, SC

1 hour 15 min by car from downtown

A smaller, quieter alternative to Charleston, Beaufort is a stunningly preserved antebellum town with its own rich Gullah history, beautiful waterfront park, and famous movie filming locations.

Plan your Charleston trip

Things to do in Charleston: FAQ

What are the best things to do in Charleston?+

Top sights include Rainbow Row, Historic District Walking, Magnolia Plantation and French Quarter. Away from the crowds, try The Unitarian Church Graveyard and Philip Simmons' House & Garden.

What are the most popular tours in Charleston?+

The most booked experiences on Viator are Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour (4.8 stars, 11,079 reviews); Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour (4.9 stars, 7,032 reviews); Haunted Evening Horse and Carriage Tour of Charleston (4.7 stars, 4,421 reviews).

How much do tours in Charleston cost?+

The tours and tickets on this page start between €15 and €227 per person, depending on length and what is included.

Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.