Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Downtown Charleston

In Downtown Charleston, South Carolina, high-rise buildings are scarce, making way for the district’s historic charm. With its colonial-style architecture adorning the cobblestone streets, this downtown area serves as a historical capsule.

Established in 1670 as a port on a peninsula between the Cooper and Ashley Rivers, Downtown Charleston encompasses approximately five square miles, including James, Johns, and Daniel’s Islands, as well as the Cainhoy Peninsula and West Ashley neighborhood.

While grounded in history, Downtown Charleston also possesses a contemporary side. Explore this article to discover fifteen remarkable activities that promise to make your visit both enlightening and enjoyable.

1. Charleston Walking Tour

Walking through beautiful Downtown Charleston is the ideal way to discover its numerous hidden treasures. Participating in a walking tour led by a knowledgeable local guide reveals one delightful experience after another.

Visit Fort Sumter, the site where the American Civil War commenced, admire the impressive antebellum mansions, and uncover secret courtyards and gardens while absorbing fascinating historical insights and entertaining stories about past inhabitants of the district.

2. Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge

The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge serves as Charleston’s modern icon, providing an excellent vantage point for observing the downtown area and the harbor.

This cable-stayed bridge extends two and a half miles across the Cooper River, accommodating eight lanes of traffic, along with pathways for pedestrians and cyclists.

Take a stroll to the center of the bridge or rent a bicycle to traverse its length. The panoramic views are breathtaking during the day but transform into a stunning spectacle at sunset.

3. McLeod Plantation Historic Site

The cotton industry has significantly influenced Downtown Charleston’s history. Visit the McLeod Plantation Historic Site on James Island’s Country Club Drive to gain insights into the lives of both affluent owners and their enslaved workers during this historical period.

This expansive site covers thirty-seven acres and features a 19th-century mansion surrounded byancient oak trees adorned with Spanish moss, six clapboard constructed slave houses, and numerous other restored buildings that highlight the cotton era.

4. Saltwater Cycle

Utilizing the Saltwater Cycle offers an enjoyable way to experience Downtown Charleston, forge new friendships, and engage in a delightful activity simultaneously.

Begin your journey at Ripley Light Marina on Ashley Pointe Drive, where you will board a sixteen-seater floating cycle for an hour and forty-minute pedal-powered adventure along the water’s edge.

This experience operates on a BYOB basis, inviting you to bring your own beverages, while coolers, ice, and lively party music will be provided.

5. Gibbes Museum Of Art

The Gibbes Museum of Art, located on Meeting Street, showcases an array of exhibitions, including a prestigious collection of over six hundred miniature portraits.

Comprising seven galleries, the museum dedicates three to 18th and 19th-century paintings and sculptures and another to the Charleston Renaissance period.

It also features extensive collections of modern and contemporary art and hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

6. Poogan’s Porch

Experience genuine Southern hospitality at Poogan’s Porch on Queen Street.

Housed within a meticulously restored Victorian mansion with porches on both the first and second levels, this restaurant has been serving Southern specialties for four decades.

Be sure to savor their famous shrimp and grits or crispy fried chicken paired with biscuits and gravy—wholesome comfort food reminiscent of grandma’s cooking.

7. Historic Charleston City Market

The Historic Charleston City Market serves as the cultural heart of Downtown Charleston and has operated since 1807.

The market hall, designated a national landmark, accommodates over twenty retail outlets and eateries, along with artisan studios that produce traditional sweetgrass basketry and artwork.

Open daily, the Charleston City Market also features extended hours with night markets on Fridays and Saturdays.

8. Charleston Harbor Cruise

Board the Carolina Belle at its mooring on Wharfside Street for a leisurely cruise around Charleston harbor.

This eighty-foot cruiser features a main salon and two observation decks, one at the stern and the other at the prow, in addition to a bar offering drinks and snacks. Throughout the ninety-minute journey, the captain shares captivating historical information about the landmarks as you cruise.

Don’t forget your camera and binoculars, as dolphins and pelicans are often sighted during the voyage.

9. Pub and Brewery Tour

Combine a historical exploration of the district with delightful drinks on a guided tour with a knowledgeable local.

Join fellow pub enthusiasts for a visit to several of the district’s historic taverns and enjoy a captivating two-hour journey that includes engaging anecdotes about Charleston’s pub culture, along with snacks to complement your beverages.

10. The Calhoun Mansion

Witness the lavish elegance of the late 19th century at the Calhoun Mansion, located on Meeting Street.

This expansive residence, covering twenty-four thousand square feet, holds the title of the largest single-family home in Charleston and remains a family residence, despite offering public tours.

Explore its three magnificent floors featuring thirty-five rooms of period furnishings. The entrance hall spans sixty-five feet with a fourteen-foot ceiling, and the house boasts twenty-three antique fireplaces, an impressive music room, and beautifully landscaped gardens, highlighting its grandeur.

11. Hydrofly Watersports Charleston

Visit Hydrofly on Lockwood Drive for an exciting water-themed adventure.

Whichever water sport appeals to you, Hydrofly offers options ranging from wakeboarding and tubing to jet ski rentals, parasailing, paddleboarding, and the latest Flyboard. For those unfamiliar with these activities, qualified instructors are available to provide lessons before you embark on your water adventure.

If an action-packed experience feels overwhelming, relax at Hydrofly’s two-story Tiki Hut, the floating base for watersports, relishing stunning views from the sun deck while basking in the sun.

12. Haunted Jail Tour

Embark on a spine-chilling tour of Charleston’s most haunted site, the City Jail. This fortress-like structure on Magazine Street housed a multitude of notorious criminals, ranging from pirates to serial offenders, over a span of one hundred and fifty years.

Venture inside after dark to explore the warden’s quarters and prison cells, tuning in for the unsettling sounds of chains and slamming doors as spirits announce their presence.

If nighttime exploration feels daunting, the facility also offers daytime history tours, although ghostly presences may still linger.

13. Charleston Crab House

Given its coastal location, seafood occupies a prominent spot on many dining menus. However, the Charleston Crab House stands out for its exceptional culinary offerings.

For an exquisite seafood dinner, visit either of their two establishments. One is conveniently situated on Market Street, and the other boasts a scenic waterfront location on Wappoo Creek Drive on Johns Island.

Enjoy dishes such as the Crab House Crab Pot, Lowcountry Shrimp Boil, or She Crab Soup—traditional delicacies that every visitor to Downtown Charleston should sample.

14. Waterfront Park

Waterfront Park spans ten acres along Concord Street, offering exceptional views of Charleston Harbor and the Cooper River.

Its seaside-style pier extends into the river, providing an excellent vantage point for wildlife observations, passing sailboats, cruise ships, and the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.

Don’t miss the iconic Pineapple Fountain, a delightful sight by day, but even more enchanting at night when illuminated, making it a must-see for your Instagram feed.

15. Henry’s on the Market Bar and Restaurant

Ascend to Henry’s Rooftop Bar on North Market Street to witness a breathtaking sunset.

Since its establishment in 1932, Henry’s restaurant-bar has offered delicious cuisine, live music, and a lounge for dancing, along with a rooftop patio for relaxed drinks.

Enjoy rocking in a chair or swaying in a hammock while sipping on a Silver Rickey or a Sweet Tea Cosmo, all while enjoying the vermilion hues streaking the sky. The added benefit? As in the remainder of Downtown Charleston, the skyline remains unobstructed by skyscrapers.