Top 10 Places to See in Charleston, SC

Top 10 Places to See in Charleston, SC
By Lee Keadle
Ezine Articles

If you're planning a trip to Charleston, there are several sites and attractions that should be on your list of things to do. I've included a list of the top 10 below!

1) The Battery has some of the most photographed homes in Charleston. You can walk along the raised sidewalk, which has great views of the Charleston Harbor on one side and historic mansions on the other! Best of all, it's free!

2) Waterfront Park is within a short walk of the Battery and has benches with green spaces that are ideal for resting. There is also a large public pier with swings, but these swings are usually in high demand, especially during the tourist season. This is a fun place to watch barges come in and out of the harbor, and it's also free!

3) Fort Sumter is near the top of the list for 2 reasons. First, you can see where the Civil War began in 1861. This site makes Charleston one of the most historic cities in the country, and you'll learn a lot of history on this educational field trip. Second, you'll take a boat over to Fort Sumter, which has great views of the Charleston Harbor! Fort Sumter is one of the most popular sites in Charleston for these 2 reasons.

4) Tired of walking? Take a Charleston carriage tour to see some of the most historic places in downtown Charleston. These guided, horse-drawn tours are very popular with tourists because they're a great way to see the city.

5) Charleston is known for its support of the arts. You'll find art galleries scattered throughout the city that you can visit. Or, if you want to see a lot of local artwork in one place, I recommend the Gibbes Museum of Art. They usually have several circulating exhibitions throughout the year.

6) Charleston has a range of sports teams to choose from. If you like college sports, I'd recommend looking into College of Charleston or the Citadel's schedules. Charleston also has the Riverdogs minor league baseball team downtown, the Battery professional soccer team on Daniel Island, and the Stingrays professional hockey team in North Charleston.

7) King Street has some of the best shopping in Charleston. You'll find clothing and accessory stores like Banana Republic, J. Crew, Saks, and Guicci. There are also a lot of specialty stores, like Le Creuset, and a plethora of shoe stores. The Apple store just opened in the past month or two, and it's always full of customers. You'll also find lots of coffee shops and restaurants.

8) If you enjoy playing golf, then Charleston is going to be a great place to vacation! Some of the nicest courses are in Kiawah Island, Daniel Island, Wild Dunes, and Daniel Island. You'll also find good options in Mt. Pleasant. Charleston hosts many big tournaments throughout the year, and a lot of the courses are designed by big names such as Tom Fazio.

9) One of Charleston's many plantation homes should also be on your list of things to see. The most popular are Boone Hall, Drayton Hall, Magnolia Plantation, and Middleton Place. Middleton Place, for example, appeared several times in the movie The Patriot, and it's just one of four of plantations in the area that show Charleston's long history.

10) The SC Aquarium is located in downtown Charleston. This is a very kid-friendly place, and the aquarium focuses on aquatic life that you'll find along the southeast coast. Be sure to check out what exhibition is currently at the aquarium, because they have some cool exhibits!

Also, keep in mind that Charleston hosts a variety of festivals and annual events throughout the year. So, for example, if you're planning on coming at the end of May, check to see you'll be here during the Spoleto Festival (since it's one of the biggest events in Charleston). Or, in December there is a spectacular holiday lights display at James Island County Park. You'll find special events almost every month of the year, so be sure to check those out!

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