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Charleston, South Carolina is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and there are more Charleston SC attractions than you can “shake a stick at” (a southern phrase you may hear while visiting). Yep, it’s true, there’s more to this amazing city than just grits, sweet tea, and palmettos. Let’s dig into 6 family-friendly Charleston SC attractions to enjoy if you have at least one older kid or teen in tow, shall we?!
Charleston SC Attractions
We lived part-time in this captivating city for about seven months when Superman’s job required it. I was certainly up for the challenge! We fell in love with its Southern charm and out of all of the family travel coverage I write, this is one of my most beloved places. Below are just a few of the many Charleston SC attractions that parents AND older kiddos can enjoy together.
Have fun!
PIRATE & WAR STORIES
You may have heard that there’s a lot of Civil War history in Charleston. Did you know that there’s probably more Revolutionary and pirate history than any other American city?
You’d never know that the serene White Point Gardens (that border “The Battery” seawall right across from the sea fort of Fort Sumter), where many can be spotted strolling through the brick-paved walkways or reading a book under the canopy of Southern oak trees is the same spot of fascinating pirate stories. Teens will be fascianted to know that it’s where Blackbeard blockaded Charleston and gentleman pirate Stede Bonnet was hanged along with 5o others. Find out more Charleston pirate history on a historical carriage ride or Charleston pirate tours.
GOODY SAMPLING
Charleston’s historic City Market has hundreds of artists and craftspeople selling their wares like sweetgrass baskets and more. Some of our favorite Charleston SC attractions, however, are the sweet shops along one side of the City Market. Savannah’s Candy Kitchen of Charleston and Fudgery Inc will let you sample one of their goodies like fudge or pralines. The Five and Dime and Moon Pie General Store are two other favorites stores that we enjoy.
ROYALTY SHOPPING
You know you’re in a shopping mecca of the world when the street names are King, Queen, and George and known as the King Street Fashion District. Boutique stores like Spartina 449 and the shops at Belmond Charleston Place will leave you speechless. My daughter and I found a feminine place that had so much wall-to-wall jewelry and plush pink furnishings that we must have stayed for an hour!
INTRIGUING CEMETERIES
The sometimes Gothic architecture of these churches and cemeteries leave me spellbound with their iron gates, angel statues, and historic graves. We love meandering through and reading the gravestones – some as far back as the 1600s. St. Philip’s Church contains the graves of signers of the Declaration of Independence like Edward Rutledge and Charles Pinckney.
JAW-DROPPING CHURCHES
Charleston is called The Holy City due to the religious freedom offered to many diverse houses of worship. St. Michael’s Protestant Episcopal Church, St. Phillip’s, Brith Sholom Beth Israel Synagogue of Charleston, and The French Huguenot Church have some of the most jaw-dropping architecture. Taking a walk around the grounds and hearing their history is pretty fun. Watch the video below to find out why some people had to pay for their church seats:
Charleston’s Historic Churches
CHARLESTON WALKING TOUR
One of the most fun Charleston SC attractions we’ve experienced with our older kids is just walking the city on a self-guided tour. My suggestion is to get your hands on the Charleston Walking Tour and Travel Guide right away. This handy dandy guide includes routes, photos, and maps of the best way to experience the best of Charleston on your own timing. There is a mobile guide with this pamphlet purchase as well.
Hotels in Charleston
Which of these Charleston SC attractions will you visit first with your teen or older kiddo?
Published on HuffPost, Okefenokee Living Magazine, and more, Shan is a Family Travel Journalist with a passion for helping women lose the overwhelm of planning family-friendly trips in the south. She shares travel reviews & insider secrets that Women REALLY want to know about Georgia, Florida, & the Carolinas vacations.
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Welcome to THTG and Thank You. I enjoy photography when we travel SO much.
blessings,
Shan
The How to Guru
Charleston looks like a place I need to visit, it’s beautiful. I really love those double doors in your pinnable image!
Such a great city to visit!
Just got back from Charleston actually! We had a baby and a toddler with us so we didn’t get to do everything we had hoped but man is that a beautiful city! Can’t wait to go back.
Author
Haha, Brittney. It DOES smell so good from the street. Oh, how I wish I was there right now! 🙂
shan
I have wanted to go and now I NEED to go! Thanks for the info!!
Gosh I’ve wanted to visit Charleston for YEARS and this post didn’t help any. Those pirate tours sound like so much fun, and I love all the history in the area. Next time we’re along the eastern coast you bet I’m giving Charleston a visit!
I absolutely love the beauty and rich history of the Charleston area. Your photos are stunning!
I love going into candy kitchens to sample all the yummies and have been itching to get to Charleston!! Hopefully we will be able to hit it on our way back to Florida!!
Author
You’ll fall head over heels, Mel! I just know it!
shan
I want to go to Charleston so bad! It looks so beautiful and interesting to explore for all ages!
My kids are still little but I think that they would love to try and buy some treats from the historic city market and nearby treat shops. We love to get goodies wherever we go.
These are great places to roam around . I love how you have done sharing your experience. And with such beautiful pictures as well. Thanks for sharing your trip. I would love to travel to charleston.
Author
Thanks, Aditi. I love it.
much love,
shan
I’d honestly want to do them all! I still have littles, but my older boys would love all the pirate history. I’d love to check out all the goodies and shopping! 🙂
Author
It’s a fun place for the whole family. Pirate history is fascinating! 😉
much love,
shan
Love this! I have always wanted to go to Charleston! It is on my list of places to go and your checklist will come in handy!
Author
Yay! So glad it helped!
much love,
shan
My sister lives in GA and we are dying to do a girls trip to Savannah and Charleston. Adding these to the list of things to do!