Things To Do In Charleston: 7 Family Friendly Spots NOT To Miss

We’ve discovered the best route to enjoy Charleston South Carolina, so strolling the streets are more fun than ever. We love family weekend getaways, and this is one of our favorite places!  So today, I’m sharing 7 things not to miss if you’re looking for things to do in Charleston with your family. 

Family Friendly Things to do in Charleston

When I watched Gone with the Wind as a little girl, Rhett Butler’s hometown sounded so charming and mysterious.  As an adult, I finally got the chance to visit and see for myself and it was completely worth the wait!

I wish I’d had a clue about the family hot spots and best things to do in Charleston before we visited the first time. That’s why I’m excited to share what I’ve learned so that you and your people can enjoy it the most. Then unexpectedly, our family ended up becoming part-time residents of Charleston, South Carolina for about seven months because of my husband’s job.  We were able to experience Charleston during different seasons and we found that making a square-shaped sweep of the city allows you to see the top spots without wearing everyone completely out!

#1  White Point Gardens & The Battery

The Charleston Battery is always our first spot to see when we roll into town. The Battery surrounds two sides of the White Point Gardens. This six-acre park showcases Charleston as a true Colonial city. You can’t miss the oak trees, cannons, and Southern mansions.

The Battery stretches from White Point Gardens I always think about the outbreak of the Civil War beginning along this seawall, and the pirate history about Blackbeard!

Insider tips: Although it’s never been a problem for us, be advised that there are no bathrooms in this park so you may want to stop once you leave the interstate. Unless you have a picnic basket full of food, there are no food joints in this area.

Cost:  Free visit and free parking {I’ve heard rumors of parking meters coming soon though}.

#2  Fort Sumter

You will be able to see Fort Sumter National Monument at a distance all along the Battery seawall. The fort is where the Civil War literally began as the Confederates fired on the Union garrison. I never realized that Fort Sumter was a sea fort on an island of its own.

Did you know that?

One of the most iconic things to do in Charleston is to take a tour by ferry to Fort Sumter.  You’ll learn all about intriguing American history while traveling.  The ferry is boarded on Liberty Square.

Insider tips: You should plan two and a half hours for the Fort Sumter tour. There are bathrooms available going and coming on the ferry only. Snacks and drinks can be bought on the ferry. There is an Aquarium Wharf garage adjacent to the Liberty Square Fort Sumter Visitor’s Center for parking. To buy tickets, call 843) 722-BOAT (2628)

Cost:  The Fort Sumter tour is free up to $19 each, depending on age. Departure times are 9:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.   Combo package tours are available where the Fort Sumter tour is combined with a carriage ride, USS Yorktown tour, bus tour, or the South Carolina Aquarium.

#3  Rainbow Row Homes

If you skip the Fort Sumter tour and settle for the view from the Battery seawall, let’s move along, shall we?

As you drive around the tip of White Point Gardens and continue along the battery wall, the road becomes East Battery and then quickly becomes East Bay Street. Beautiful water will be on your right and Antebellum homes will awe you on your left. As you drive about four blocks,  you will begin the see the row of 13 Caribbean-colored houses.

These gorgeous homes date back to the 1700s.

What’s cool to know is that these homes were not always pristine and pastel. There are differing legends as to why these row homes were painted these colors, but the important thing is that the community pulled together and elevated the area from devastation after the Civil War to charming sights for locals and tourists.

Insider tips:  Take your time to drive through. The shutterbugs in your family may want you to drive slowly for photo ops or if you are good at parallel parking, you could hop out for a few moments to capture some beauties.

Cost: Free

#4  Waterfront Park

As you get past the pastel homes on your left, you will almost immediately come upon the Charleston Waterfront Park on your right.  There is a parking area on N. Atlantic Street. Here you’ll find the infamous Pineapple fountain {biggest pineapple you’ve ever seen!} and a splash fountain for the kids.

Woot!

You can also walk out on the pier and view the U.S.S. Yorktown across the water.

This waterfront park is so clean, so welcoming, and so relaxing.  It’s one of the most overlooked things to do in Charleston.  The old-fashioned swings are a great place for families to watch the sailboats and ships in the Cooper River.

Yes, there are bathroom facilities across the street. You may want to bring dry clothes to change the kiddos into if they play in the splash fountain. There is a Belgian Gelato shop across the street as well as a free art gallery.

Insider tips:  A picnic is possible here, and the closest family food joint is an adorable deli called Brown Dog that is about two and a half blocks away on Broad Street. If your family is able, it is definitely possible to walk to the historic, Charleston City Market where the most restaurants, fudge shops, and specialty shops are. I suggest getting a little closer ~ I will give suggestions in the next section.

Cost:  Not sure about the parking cost but there is free WiFi in the area, a free art gallery, and free access to the entire waterfront area.

#5  Charleston Carriage

Once you leave the Waterfront Park and turn right on East Bay Street, you can drive on up about three blocks and turn left on Guignard Street to park next to the Palmetto Carriage Works. This is an ideal parking area to see all the good things to do in Charleston.

As I talked about in an article I wrote about Charleston Carriage Tours, it is also an excuse to visit the big red barn of animals.

This is where I’m going to urge you to book a horse-drawn Charleston carriage ride as one of the first things to do in Charleston.  It’s a fabulous way to learn your way around the city and the fascinating history to boot. I’m all about the frugal and free, as you know, but a one-time carriage tour is worth every penny, and your family won’t soon forget it! There are four other carriage companies, but Palmetto Carriage is the only one we have experienced so far.

Insider tips: It’s best to book your carriage ride ahead of time if possible. There are restrooms and snacks inside the big red barn. If you book a carriage tour with Palmetto, you receive free parking, which is awesome.

Cost:  The price of a carriage ride will vary depending on the carriage company and packages available.

Charleston is one of the best built, handsomest, and most agreeable cities that I have ever seen. ~Marquis de Lafayette

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#6  Historic City Market

After your carriage ride, you will be brought right back to the big red barn, so you should step one street over and visit the City Market, Southern fudge shops, the Moon Pie General Store, the peanut shop, the new candy store, Godiva boutique, the Pepper Palace, and Ben & Jerry’s.

We always visit these shops that are located alongside the Charleston City Market.  Sampling along the way is our tradition now.  It’s all about the Southern food, Y’all.

Insider tips:  Visit the Five and Dime General Store, A Charleston Christmas shop, and the upscale specialty shops at Charleston Place.  From Gucci to coffee, I adore how all of these uniquely fun, family-friendly places are all within a few steps from each other in a laid-back manner.

Cost:  the cost is up to you.  😉

#7  Charleston City Market Restaurants

We usually end up at our favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurant for a small dinner.  It’s an authentic pizza joint that we found on our very first trip to Charleston.  Enter Rainbow Market located on Market Street, and look for the pizzeria. It’s a literal hole in the wall!

Insider tips:  Your family could always eat inside the Market at Caviar & Bananas or Food for the Southern Soul.  You will find Brasserie Gigi, Hank’s Seafood, or Peninsula Grill close by.

If you have any time left in your day for a few more things to do in Charleston, you could walk along Church Street and check out the gorgeous churches and their ancient graveyards like wrote about in my article called Worry Free Charleston Vacations.  King Street shopping is a lot of fun.  It’s the “Rodeo Drive” of the south!

On my bucket list for the next road trip to Charleston are the Gullah Tours, Culinary Tours, South Carolina Aquarium, and the Walking Tour.

THINGS TO DO IN CHARLESTON BONUS

I know I’m only supposed to share the top seven things to do in Charleston but obviously, there are so many family friendly things to do in Charleston that I can’ hush about it!  One of the most breathtaking places in Charleston is a lesser-known place called John’s Island.  There you’ll find a historic tree called the Angel Oak Tree that is said to be 400 to 500 years old and it is beautiful!

If you didn’t know, Charleston’s Waterfront Park (listed as #4 above) is on a peninsula that jets out into the Charleston Harbor and is surrounded by five islands: James Island, Sullivans Island, Johns Island, Kiawah Island, and Isle of Palms.  There are many free things to do in Charleston on these islands including the Angel Oak Tree on John’s Island.

I adore Charleston, South Carolina!  There’s something about walking around that beautiful, old city that never gets old to our family.  It keeps calling us back over and over again!

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Which of the 7 things to do in Charleston will you do first?

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