Charleston, SC is such a charming town. There is more to discover there every time I go. My college room mate moved to Charleston years ago, so this has always been a fun place to visit. I have gone about 10 times, but there is still more to explore!
Here is some history on the city!
Please note if it is windy, you can feel it driving over some of the bridges. Do not worry, the Arthur Ravenal Jr Bridge is built to sustain 200 mph winds and a 7.5 earthquake as Charleston. Learn about the big quake they had there in the 1800’s here.
You can walk around downtown to Rainbow Row as the city is very walk able.
Below is a list of our favorites we went to and some on our to do list still.
Boone Hall This is a great southern plantation to tour. They have the best hayride at Halloween!
Children's Museum of Low Country
This is a fun museum for kids. You can park in a huge lot close by off Ann street. Then walk around the corner to the museum entrance. My son always loves the small kid door!. Pay when you walk in. If it is a nice day there is a door straight ahead to an outdoor play area. There is also a gift shop here and restrooms are to your left. The museum is on two sides. There is a ball room with ramps, bathrooms, water bottle refill station, water room and a huge pirate ship are on the left. On the right is the castle to play in and a fun art room where you can paint, play with magnets, kinetic sand, and make objects out or "trash." We always have a fun time! They do give teacher and military discounts. http://explorecml.org/ They are raising money to expand it, look here for more info on that. http://explorecml.org/make-and-believe/
Escape in 60
We had a great time at this escape room in Charleston, SC. It is located near the markets so convenient to downtown. You can purchase your tickets on line ahead. We ran late (you are to be there 15 mins before) due to a big rain storm and they texted to check on us which I thought was great. When you leave we each got a 10 percent off our next visit. We did the prison Escape room. Like most, this room held 8 people or you can pay to have it all to yourself. We were with 4 other random people and had a blast ( pre-covid)
Fort Sumter
Did you know where the Civil War Started? Fort Sumter, SC Here is more history: https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/fort-sumter There are 2 places you can get a boat to Fort Sumter. One is next tot eh aquarium and the other is at Patriots Point where you get tickets for Yorktown. We did the Patriots Point one. It is $5 to park here. I encourage you to buy tickets online a head of time. https://fortsumtertours.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAr8bwBRD4ARIsAHa4YyLRHUpEL5Qss-Y4rOO6gwEoBFM4SIC_ocpl0WaKGWDgyzueh-cnW3UaAsT6EALw_wcB Once you board the boat, it takes about 30 mins to get to Fort Sumter. Make sure to watch as we saw lots of dolphins along the way. There is a small snack shop on board. When you get there you have one hour to walk around. My brother loves history and could have spent hours here. I will say my son and I are more walk around and look and we are ready to go and we both wished we had more time here. There are guides around where you can ask them questions. There are bathrooms here too. There is a museum in the black area. This is very walk able for someone like my mom with a cane, but did not see any other way to get up besides the steps to go up to the museum, so she would not have gone up there. They then do an all call and check for people and you board the boat for the 30 min ride back. Again look for dolphins. You could do Yorktown before or after this as it is right here. This "tour" is a walk on your own tour.
Isle of Palm
This is the closest beach to where my college roommate lives so we always stop here. Its a cute area with a few shops. You can park on the main street and they have meters. We like to stroll the shops too! Look for Bubba the talking parrot in My favorite things shop. The beach area has bathrooms and outdoor showers right next to Coconut Joes. We always stop here for lunch too as you can walk up from the beach to eat. Being your own chairs and items as they do not rent them on the beach but the shops across from them do sell them.
Markets Located on market street in downtown Charleston, these are fun to stroll and look for gifts made by locals! Some of the buildings in the past few years have been upgraded inside. There are bathrooms and an atm in them.
Mt. Pleasant Waterfront Park/Pier
This is such a great area. It is near Patriots Point/Ft Sumter/Yorktown/Fish House. There is a visitor center here, make sure to go in and get some good coupons. There is a sweet grass museum next door. If you are going to explore make sure to park on the left side of the building as the visitor area is 15 mins only. There is a fun park for kids to play on under the bridge. There is a water fountain near the playground. Walk a little more and you will find a snack bar/gift shop/buy drinks. You can also get a fishing pass for the day here too! If you walk a quarter mile more you will hit the pier. We did not walk here this day as it was starting to rain and very windy.
South Carolina Aquarium
This is a nice aquarium located right on the water. There are many views of the water and you might be lucky to spot a dolphin! It is located next to one of the 2 spots you can take a ship over to Fort Sumter. The aquarium is located a little back from the street, so try to drop off those who cant walk far. You can then get your tickets when you walk in. They have a few extras tickets for activities you can add on to your ticket, such as feed sting rays, but they sell out fast! Walk up a ramp to the first level where there are sting rays you can pet in the outside covered area. There is a gift shop here, bathrooms, a nursing room and a snack bar. There are a few exhibits on this floor like the turtle rescue area. You can then take steps up to the next level, an elevator or an escalator. At the top of the escalator is the bald eagle. You then go through the different regions and see the different species for those areas. There is a kid area up here, a little play area, a hurricane machine for $2, and more exhibits. You can easily do this in 2 hours. There is a parking garage across the street and a few street spots to park. When you exit if you go left out of the aquarium there is a fun play ground kids can play on.
Yorktown Check Groupon for discount tickets.
Places to eat:
Coconut Joes (Island of Palms)
We always eat here when we go to the beach as it is right on the beach!
Fish House
This was a nice place to eat close to Ft Sumter and Yorktown. They have a area upstairs that over looks the bridge but it was closed when we went. They have a kids menu too. They have a little area you can go outside on to take pictures with Yorktown in the background. The restrooms our outside the restaurant near a cute gift shop.
Hanks-This is an upscale place to eat downtown that my friends loves and so do we! We went last trip but didn't take pictures.
5 Church
We loved eating here. It is right by the markets and had such a unique feel to it and the food was fab!
Christmas
Boone Hall is decorated
Holiday Festival of Lights: Sun to Thurs 5:30-10 Fri and Sat 5:30- 11
Mon-Thurs $20 a car, $15 with canned food donation
For a fun time take a Coastal Expedition
