Charleston South Carolina Attractions

There are many things to do in Charleston, whether you want to see the city as it thrived in days of yore through the furniture and photographs of the time or want to visit a fishing pier on Charleston's beautiful Atlantic coast it is all here. Have you ever wondered how it would feel to stand where the first shots of the Civil War were fired? You can visit Fort Sumter and experience it first hand. If you tire of visiting historic landmarks you can take a trip that you and the kids are sure to enjoy to the South Carolina Aquarium. When you have seen as many attractions as you want for the day you can visit the famous Charleston shopping district on King Street. Let OnlineHotels.com show you some of our favorite places to stay and to play.

Aiken-Rhett House
Johnson Robinson built this single-row house as an urban plantation in 1817. Gov. William Aiken restored and lived in the home from 1833-1887. Aiken-Rhett House has Greek and Rococo Revival-styled architecture and has been preserved to show how the Aikens lived. The grounds also have a carriage house and slave quarters. The home is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and is open on Sundays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. It costs $8 to visit this attraction in Charleston on Elizabeth Street.

Charleston Museum
Charleston's history and culture come alive through collections of clothing, furniture, and photographs. The museum has a hands-on exhibit that was designed for children. Charleston Museum is the oldest museum in the United States and located on Meeting Street. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. It costs $8 for adults to tour and $4 for children ages 3 through 12 to visit.

The Citadel Museum
The Citadel Museum details the military college's history with exhibits featuring photographs, uniforms, and documents. The museum is free and is located on the Citadel's campus.

Cypress Gardens
Cypress Gardens provides visitors with a view of Charleston's indigenous flowers and topography. Guests can hike through the woods or take a Lowcountry bateau boat. Tourists can also go on self-guided tours or tour the attraction with staff guides. Cypress Gardens is 24 miles north of Charleston.

Folly Beach County Park
Folly Beach County Park is a public beach that has a pier, dressing rooms, beach umbrella rentals, a snack bar, and picnic facilities. Folly Beach is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. May through August and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. November through March. The beach is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April, September, and October.

Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter is where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired. The battle took place on April 12th and 13th, 1861, and the Union Army surrendered the fort to the Confederacy after 34 hours of fighting. From 1863 to 1865, Fort Sumter withstood a 22-month siege by Union soldiers, but was almost completely destroyed. The fort became a national monument in 1948 and tours are given daily at 9:30 a.m., noon, and 2:30 p.m.

Francis Marion National Forest
Francis Marion National Forest is for the outdoor lover. This 50,000-acre forest offers camping, boating, fishing, hiking, and horseback riding. Visitors may also see some of South Carolina's most endangered species, such as the red-cockaded woodpecker. The forest has four wilderness areas and is north of Charleston.

Gullah Tours
This tour provides Charleston guests with a view of African-American life and culture. The Gullahs are descendants of West African slaves and freed blacks who had their own culture, language, and music. The tour guide is a Charlestonian who speaks fluent Gullah. The bus leaves from the African-American Art Gallery, across from the Charleston Visitor's Center, on John Street. Tours are given Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Saturdays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.

Heyward-Washington House
Rice planter Daniel Heyward built this townhouse for his son Thomas in 1772. The home wasthen rented to President George Washington when he stayed in Charleston for a week in 1791. That's how the attraction came to be called the Heyward-Washington House. The home has a kitchen house, servants' quarters, and a garden, which are all open for tours. Heyward-Washington House is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Adults will be charged $8 to enter, while children ages 3 through 12 are charged $4.

IMAX Theater
The IMAX Theater is near Charleston Harbor and provides viewers with a unique film experience. The IMAX screen is larger than a professional basketball court and has 12,000 watts of surround-sound. Check with the theater's box office to find out what films are being presented.

King Street
King Street is a famous shopping district in Charleston. Lower King Street is known for its antique district and retail shops. The area of King Street near the College of Charleston has thrift stores and restaurants.

Middleton Place Plantation
The Middleton Place Plantation served as a home for the Middleton family for four generations and is still in the family. The Middleton Place Foundations owns and operates this 18th-century plantation. The home was built in 1741 and demonstrates life during the 18th and 19th centuries. This is the oldest landscaped garden attraction in the United States. Visitors will find a restored stable yard where they will see spinners, weavers, and blacksmiths. Animals that would have been on an 18th century plantation roam freely on the grounds. Middleton Place is located on Ashley River Road and is open daily.

Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum
The Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum is the home of the USS Yorktown, the USS Laffey, the USS Clamagore, and the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Ingham. The museum also houses the Medal of Honor Museum and has vintage military airplanes and weapons. You can visit the museum from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum is on Patriots Point Road in Mount Pleasant.

The South Carolina Aquarium
This attraction is located on Charleston Harbor and shows the city's various aquatic habitats. Guests will see mountain streams, rivers, lakes, salt marshes, and the Atlantic Ocean in more than 60 exhibits. Animals, such as river otters, snakes, turtles, fish, and sharks, are also seen in the aquarium's presentations. Check with the aquarium for operating hours. Those who have a group with more than 15 people must make a reservation.