Your Guide to Historic Charleston Attractions and Tours
Planning a trip to Charleston and feeling a little overwhelmed by all the historic sites this city has to offer? You're in the right place! This is your go-to guide for diving into Charleston's complicated past. From the iconic landmarks you absolutely can't miss to some of the lesser-known gems that offer a more local flavor, check out this list of the must-see attractions as you plan your Charleston trip.
The Iconic Landmarks of Charleston
Fort Sumter
Visit ground zero where the Civil War began. The Confederate Army fired the first shots of the war on Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861. Explore this National Historic Site and learn about its construction and the fort’s role in the Civil War. Strategically built on the Charleston Harbor, you can enjoy a peaceful boat ride to and from the fort (the breeze feels lovely on a humid summer day!).
Fort Moultrie
Unlike its more famous neighbor, Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie gives you a deeper understanding of American coastal defense through the centuries. Fun fact: During the Revolutionary War, the fort was made of palmetto logs and still managed to hold off a powerful British fleet, which is why the palmetto tree still holds a special place in South Carolina! During your tour, see how the fort evolved over time and the role it has played in multiple wars.
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site
Established in 1670, this is the site of the first permanent English settlement in South Carolina. Come explore the grounds of the Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site and see a replica of a 17th-century trading vessel (the Adventure). You can actually go aboard and get a sense of the cramped quarters and the challenges of seafaring in that era. Be sure to stop by the Animal Forest that features animals indigenous to the area during the colonial era, including pumas, black bears, bison, wild turkey, and more.
Drayton Hall
Unlike many other plantation homes you might visit, Drayton Hall stands before you largely unrestored. You'll see a remarkably preserved 18th-century plantation house, just as it has aged through the centuries, without the filter of modern restoration. Founded in 1738, Drayton Hall is the oldest unrestored plantation house in America still open to the public.
Middleton Place
A National Historic Landmark, Middleton Place blends the natural beauty of America's oldest landscaped gardens with a poignant look into plantation life. Here, you can journey through the intertwined stories of a prominent South Carolina family and the enslaved Africans who were integral to their world. In addition to its famous gardens, the estate also features a house museum, stable yards with artisans, and Eliza's House, which provides insights into the lives of enslaved people on the plantation.
Boone Hall Plantation
This plantation is instantly recognizable for its dramatic and iconic Avenue of Oaks, a nearly mile-long drive lined with majestic, centuries-old live oak trees draped in Spanish moss. Established in 1681, Boone Hall Plantation is one of the oldest working plantations in America, and throughout its history, it has been a significant agricultural enterprise, cultivating everything from indigo and rice to cotton and pecans. You can visit the original slave cabins, which stand as a stark reminder of the forced labor system that produced the plantation's wealth.
The Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon
This is a building with a truly remarkable and sometimes shadowy past: The Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon. This impressive structure, completed in 1771, witnessed some pivotal moments in Charleston's history and served a surprising number of different roles, including a commercial hub, a custom house, and a post office. However, during the Revolutionary War, a military prison occupied the Provost Dungeon space, holding captured American patriots.
Charleston City Market
The Charleston City Market is a living piece of Charleston's history. A historic marketplace dating back to the 1790s, the City Market remains a vibrant hub of culture and commerce, featuring local artisans and vendors. From Charleston-themed trinkets to unique handmade items like the region’s famous sweetgrass baskets, there's something for everyone. Take time to wander among the local vendors and find your ideal souvenir.
Rainbow Row
Rainbow Row is on one of Charleston's most iconic and picturesque streets where thirteen colorful 18th century houses line East Bay Street. While the exact reasons for the vibrant paint colors are debated — some say it helped sailors find their way, others suggest it was simply a way to brighten up the street — the result is undeniably charming.
The Battery and White Point Garden
This spot has been significant for centuries, originally serving as a defensive fortification – hence the name "The Battery." Imagine cannons once lining this seawall, protecting the city from potential threats arriving by sea. And as you stroll through White Point Garden, you’ll see a collection of monuments and historical markers commemorating important figures and events from Charleston’s past. You can also enjoy panoramic views of the harbor as you step back into history.
Nathaniel Russell House Museum
Located in the heart of Charleston’s historic district, the Nathaniel Russell House Museum is renowned for its Federal-style architecture and free-flying spiral staircase, a stunning architectural feature without visible support! During a tour, you can gain insight into the social customs of Charleston's elite during the Federal period.
Old Slave Mart Museum
This site stands as a powerful and sobering reminder of a deeply painful chapter in American history. The Old Slave Mart Museum tells a crucial story about Charleston's significant role in the domestic slave trade. Between 1856 and 1863, the building was an auction house where enslaved African Americans were bought and sold.
The Charleston Museum
Known as "America's First Museum," The Charleston Museum was founded in 1773. The museum’s exhibits span a wide timeline and highlight the natural history and culture of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. Exhibits also feature the city’s role throughout American history, from the Revolutionary War and Civil War through the Reconstruction Era.
International African American Museum
Gadsden's Wharf, the location of the International African American Museum, is where 40% of all enslaved Africans brought to North America first set foot on this land. The museum's thoughtfully designed exhibits and artifacts address the brutal realities of the Middle Passage and slavery in the Americas. The museum also celebrates the remarkable achievements, innovations, and contributions of African Americans across various fields and highlights the ways in which African American culture has enriched and shaped American society and the world.
Charleston’s Hidden Historic Gems
The Powder Magazine
This building has been standing for over three centuries in Charleston and is the state’s oldest government building, having been built in 1713. The Powder Magazine’s thick walls and secure design were crucial for keeping the precious and dangerous gunpowder safe from dampness, fire, and potential enemies. Today, the building houses a museum highlighting the city during the Colonial period.
Philadelphia Alley (Duelers' Alley)
Tucked away between Queen and Cumberland Streets, you can stroll this unassuming cobblestone lane that has a history that's a bit more colorful than its quiet appearance might suggest. Back in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, this secluded alley became a notorious spot for pistol duels defending honor and reputation. As you might imagine, this is a very popular stop on Charleston ghost tours.
Stoll's Alley
Tucked away in the prestigious South of Broad neighborhood, connecting East Bay Street and Church Street, this narrow cobblestone alley is lined with historic homes. One of the most distinctive features of Stoll's Alley is its collection of antique gas lanterns. In the evening, when these lanterns are lit, the alley takes on an almost magical, old-world ambiance. It's a scene straight out of a historical novel.
Gateway Walk
Think of the Gateway Walk as a hidden greenway, maintained by the Garden Club of Charleston, offering a serene escape from the bustle of the city streets. Stroll along this path, stepping through centuries of Charleston's religious and social history. The walk takes you through the grounds of several significant churches, such as St. Philip's Episcopal Church, the First Scots Presbyterian Church, and the Circular Congregational Church.
Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Cemetery
Located on Coming Street, Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Cemetery is the oldest surviving Jewish burial ground in the South, established in 1762. This cemetery provides insight into Charleston's early Jewish community and is a testament to their long and influential presence in Charleston. They were integral to the city's development in commerce, culture, and civic life.
Old City Jail
This imposing structure at 21 Magazine Street operated for over 130 years, from 1802 to 1939, and within these walls, countless stories — many of them grim — unfolded. The Old City Jail offers a stark and unvarnished look at crime, punishment, and the social realities of Charleston's past. Bulldog Tours offers ghost tours of the jail — if you dare!
Magnolia Cemetery
Founded in 1849 on the banks of the Cooper River, this sprawling Victorian-era cemetery is the final resting place of many notable South Carolinians, including Confederate generals and signatories of the Ordinance of Secession. Its elaborate monuments and landscaping offer a fascinating look at 19th-century funerary art and social history.
Conclusion
There are a lot of historic Charleston attractions to choose from. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the choices you have to explore in historic Charleston, SC, taking a historic Charleston carriage tour with Old South Carriage is a good place to start your trip. The carriage tour will take you into the heart of historic downtown with a knowledgeable guide who will regale you with fascinating stories from the city’s past and answer your questions. This is an ideal, fun way to get the lay of the land as you begin a Charleston vacation of historic proportions!
