Charleston Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Charleston, South Carolina - SC, USA)

Charleston is packed with exciting tourist attractions that will please the whole family. Popular tourist attractions in Charleston include the culture and colorful identities of the city market, which is great for picking up a few souvenirs for the folks back home.

Further tourist attractions, such as the wonders of the South Carolina Aquarium on the harborside, and the historical significance Charleston's old colonial forts and Southern plantations, are not to be missed.

South Carolina Aquarium

Address: 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, South Carolina SC, USA
Tel: +1 843 720 1990
The South Carolina Aquarium is a popular family attraction showcasing a large range of Southern aquatic life, housed in five distinct habitats. Jutting out into the harbor, the Aquarium's highlights include the Great Ocean Tank Exhibition, which houses sharks, turtles, stingrays and a myriad of other species; Secrets of the Amazon; and a replica of a blackwater swamp.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00, Sunday - noon to 17:00, seasonal variations apply
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors and children, children under three free

City Public Market

Address: Market Street, Charleston, South Carolina SC, 29401, USA
Now a Charleston institution, this popular open-air market is a must-see to complete the authentic Charleston experience and pick up a few souvenirs. Among the numerous attractions and items for sale at the City Public Market are local art, jewelry, clothing, furnishings and the symbolic sweetgrass baskets, each of which famously has a unique design.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 21:00, Sunday - 13:00 to 18:00
Admission: free

Fort Sumter National Monument

Address: Charleston Harbor, Charleston, South Carolina SC, 29482, USA
Tel: +1 843 883 3123
One of the country's most significant historic sites, the Fort Sumter National Monument is where the Civil War broke out on April 12, 1861. Today, visitors can explore original gun turrets, visit a small museum and take guided tours led by park rangers. The Fort has been used in the past for historical battle re-enactments, but in the summer is packed with history buffs and curious families tracing American history.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 16:00, seasonal variations apply
Admission: free

Fort Moultrie

Address: 1214 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island, South Carolina SC, 29482, USA
Tel: +1 843 883 3123
A fascinating fort with a long and distinguished history, Fort Moultrie was built in the 1770s before being abandoned soon after by the British. The current structure is the third to be built on the site, dating back to 1809. Fort Moultrie has played an important role in coastal defense, giving it pride of place among Charleston's distinguished historical attractions.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children under 16 free

Magnolia Plantation

Address: 3550 Ashley River Road, Charleston, South Carolina SC, 29414, USA
Tel: +1 843 571 1266
Established in the 1670s, ten generations of the Drayton family have called this place home. Visitors to Charleston's Magnolia Plantation can explore a small art gallery and homestead filled with museum-quality period furniture, while the breathtaking gardens of azaleas and camellias offer quiet respite. Other attractions at Magnolia Plantation include a petting zoo, waterfowl refuge, antebellum cabin and a plantation rice barge.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to dusk
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors and children, children under six free