Welcome to Charleston, South Carolina! Here in the lowcountry, we truly have something for everyone. In my family, we have four distinct viewpoints on what vacation should look like, but we all enjoy the Charleston area (so much that we choose to call it home). When I’m in a new city, I like to hit the streets, see the sights, and take in the culture. My oldest son likes to learn about the area’s history, while my youngest enjoys kid-friendly outdoor activities. My husband just wants directions to the nearest golf course! Below is a list of our favorite lowcountry spots, arranged in four categories: downtown, history, outdoors, and golf. Be sure to check out my Charleston Restaurant Guide, too!

Downtown

Tour the City – Take a leisurely carriage tour with Classic Carriage Works or see the sights on foot with Bulldog Tours. If you’d prefer to explore on your own, renting a bicycle from Holy Spokes will help you cover more ground.

Experience the French Quarter – Stroll through the Charleston City Market, then make your way down East Bay Street and out to Waterfront Park to snap a photo of the iconic Pineapple Fountain. Head over to Broad Street to visit a few art galleries, then continue up Meeting Street to the Gibbes Museum of Art.

Explore South of Broad – Don’t miss St. Michael’s Church, Rainbow Row,  and the Battery. The Nathaniel Russell House and several other historic homes are open for public tours. The Preservation Society of Charleston also offers house and garden tours of private residences in the spring and fall.

Shop on King Street – Visit King Street for a mile-long extravaganza of shops and restaurants. On the second Sunday of each month, a portion of King Street is closed to traffic so pedestrians can meander from shop to shop, enjoying live music and other festivities.

History

In addition to the city tours mentioned above, the following attractions will delight the history buff in your family:

Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens – Located eight miles from downtown Charleston, Boone Hall Plantation is one of the oldest working farms in America. Tour the house and surrounding plantation to investigate over 300 years of history. Be sure to visit the Black History In America Exhibit for an in-depth look at slavery, African-American culture, and the civil rights movement.

Patriots Point – Home to the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier, USS Laffey destroyer, and USS Clamagore submarine, Patriots Point provides a full day of historic fun for the whole family. Other attractions include the Vietnam Experience, Medal of Honor Museum, and a variety of military aircraft.

Note: The Charleston Water Taxi runs between downtown Charleston and Mount Pleasant. You can catch this ferry at Waterfront Park or the South Carolina Aquarium to ride across the river to Patriots Point.

Fort Sumter – To see where the Civil War began, visit Fort Sumter National Monument, located on an island in Charleston Harbor.  Fort Sumter Tours will take you there by boat, and you’ll have about an hour to explore the fort. There is a small museum on-site and National Park Rangers are available to share stories of the fort’s history.

Outdoors

Beaches – Folly Beach offers a lively beach scene with plenty of nearby restaurants and bars. For a more serene beach experience, try Sullivan’s Island. Our family also enjoys Isle of Palms County Park. This family-friendly beach offers amenities such as public restrooms, outdoor showers, and affordable parking.

Charleston County Parks – Charleston County offers a network of parks with a variety of outdoor activities. Our family’s favorites are James Island County Park and Palmetto Islands County Park, both of which have playgrounds, water parks (seasonal), nature trails, pedal boat rentals, dog parks, and more.

Kayaking – Rent a kayak or take a guided kayak tour at Coastal Expeditions. With six lowcountry locations, they offer several options for boat, kayak, and paddle board tours showcasing the incredible beauty of nature in the Charleston area.

Golf

Wild Dunes – Located on the ocean in Isle of Palms, the Wild Dunes Resort offers two courses designed by Tom Fazio. The abundance of water on both the Links and Harbor Courses will challenge you as you enjoy the picturesque setting.

Kiawah Island – The nationally acclaimed Ocean Course is one of five public courses at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, located about 25 miles south of downtown Charleston. Kiawah is pricey, but it’s worth the splurge if it’s on your bucket list!

Charleston National – Charleston National Golf Club in Mount Pleasant offers an 18-hole course, driving range, and practice facility. This course is a great choice for a group of golfers with varying abilities.

So what are you waiting for? Come and experience charming Charleston for yourself!

 

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