Charleston: Things to Do This Weekend

Top 23 Best Things to Do in Charleston South Carolina This Weekend

Visiting Charleston is a must for the whole family because Charleston offers a huge array of recreational opportunities no matter the season. From history buffs to nature lovers, there is something for everyone to love in Charleston, South Carolina. The Charleston area is rich in arts and culture. The beaches near Charleston are relaxing and very family-friendly. This is a great location for a multigenerational trip as well as a weekend getaway. Here are the best attractions you can enjoy when visiting the Holy City.

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1 – Visit the Fort Sumter National Monument

Fort Sumter is an essential attraction for Charleston visitors because of its historical significance to the American Civil War. The area is dominated by old cannons, real swords, and a historic brick fortress that complements its role in shaping the modern American nation. If you have one day in Charleston and you love history, this important site is not to be missed.

2 – Get goosebumps on a supernatural ghost tour

Charleston is bright, artsy, and vibrant. However because South Charleston has a dark, mysterious past — and a tumultuous 300-year history — Charleston is regarded as one of the most haunted cities in the United States. Visit paranormal sites such as Old Exchange Dungeon to hear spooky tales about orphan poltergeists who didn’t really leave. For a unique twist on the traditional ghostly tour, combine the spooks and a bar crawl, or even go into open waters on haunted boat tours that sail across locations of pirate attacks and naval combats.

3 – Meet local artists at the Charleston City Market

The historic Charleston City Market has been a landmark since the early 1800s. Nestled among a 200-year-old brick building are more than 30 vibrant pop-up shops that offer an endless selection of handmade and art-related items. Within just a 10-minute walk you’ll find the waterfront and numerous dining options too.

Charleston City Market

The historic market is a lively cultural center of the city. The annual market is home to more than 300 local businesses that come together to display their products. It spans an extensive area that comprises The Market Hall — a Greek Renaissance-style market Hall constructed in 1841 – along with three open-air sheds that house hundreds of small regional businesses.

4 – Step back in time at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

Magnolia Plantation & Garden has been open to the public since the year 1800. The sprawling 4-64-acre property contains a large maze and a small zoo (which young children absolutely love). It features conservatory cafes, theaters, and a cinema where visitors can relax.

Magnolia Plantation

Magnolia Plantation was established in 1676 by the Draytons and remains one of the oldest plantations in the south. In 1871 the beautiful grounds of the plantation gardens were opened and are truly magnificent.

Magnolia Plantation is currently reopened in its original plantation house form prior to the Civil War and serves as a house museum. The Museum offers excellent interactive and interpretative programming which reflects on African-American heritage in the plantations such as slavery and free trade.

Other interesting attractions on the plantations include a marshall cruise around the nearby waterway and an outdoor recreation train.

5 – Try a new and wild way to cruise the harbor

Tiki Tours of Charleston offers everything you need to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride on the water. There are tours for those who love to jam and those that love comedy. The Tiki Hut is a perfect floating island to enjoy the scenery and enjoy some refreshing drinks.

6 – Walk under the oaks at the Drayton Hall Plantation

Drayton Hall plantation has an unrestored plantation home on the Ashley River and remains publicly accessible. Founded in 1742, it is the oldest Palladian building. The main house is surrounded by oak woodlands, ponds, and rivers providing an attractive setting to contrast with the eye-opening historical lessons.

Drayton Hall

Drayton Hall is an 18th-century plantation situated on Ashley Creek in Charleston’s low country and built around 1738 by John Drayton. The site is designed in Palladian style, and it was the last home on the Ashley River which survived the Revolution and Civil War battles. Drayton Hall is a national historic monument situated in early-English historical surroundings. In 1976, the National Heritage Conservancy acquired the property and redesigned it to allow the viewer to observe the effects that the changing tastes had on society.

7 – Enjoy a long day of splashing fun at the local waterparks

This water park is located in North Charleston. Wannamaker County Park offers rides as well as water attractions including a massive 65-foot-long slide. The Splash Zone Water Park is a small outdoor playground that offers open and tube slides, a lazy river, and a leisure pool. Kids love the rainforest playground and many other fun things available at the park There is also a market for food and beverages available for sale there.

8 – Board a Charleston Harbor sightseeing cruise

Its location on the Atlantic coast makes Charleston’s sightseeing cruises an obvious choice to see the city from a different perspective. During the day and after sunset, board the Carolina Belle for a history lesson and some relaxation. As live narration echoes across the roof deck, visitors will enjoy the views of some of the Holy City’s most famous sights including Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown, and the Ravenel Bridge.

9 – Explore the stunning gardens at Middleton Place

Middleton Place is one of the most exquisitely kept gardens in the United States. The 65-hectare estate offers a relaxing setting in which to spend the afternoon. In addition to its impressive landscape gardens, it offers an educational experience about the past slave trade as well as museums for the history buff.

Middleton Place

Middleton Place has been the primary residence of the Middletons for generations. The Middletons were an important family at the center of colonial and antebellum history in South Carolina. Built in 1755, Middleton House was primarily a classical building with beautiful furnishings and rare artifacts and is now part of the Museum.

10 – Race go-karts at Charleston Fun Park

Making good on its name, Charleston Fun Park promises lots of entertainment for everyone. Do you want to take part in a highspeed Gokarting competition with a group of friends across 36 holes of minigolf? Whatever your favorite activity is, Charleston Fun Park has something for kids and kids at heart.

11 – Trot through the town in a horse-drawn carriage

Step into the past and rest your weary feet by visiting the lively streets of Charleston on a traditional horse-drawn cart. Carriage rides take place every day, beginning at dawn until sunset and covering 30 blocks in the city’s most vibrant, historic, and touristy streets. Make the experience even more fun by going on a haunted horse-drawn tour with your guide and enjoy sharing all the spine-tingling stories that are buried beneath your skin.

12 – See dolphins on kayak tours

Live on the wild side and ditch a harbor cruise ship loaded with selfie-loving tourists. Take a walk into Charleston’s incredibly biodiversity-rich coastal areas: the tidal marshes. Kayakers are guided on flat waterways by experts and move at relatively slow speeds. There are tour packages that allow people to meet loggerhead turtles or bottlenose dolphins.

13 – Practice your balance on a stand-up paddleboard

Similar to kayaking, learn new techniques and explore the intricate and abundant tidal wetlands while enjoying a relaxed standup paddleboarding tour! During the course, your guide directs paddlers to all the most important wildlife sites, and if lucky enough, you can even get glimpses of dolphins or turtles. Take a stand-in boat to Morris Island Lighthouse, situated off North Coast, Folly Beach.

14 – Channel your inner Picasso at Gibbes Museum of Art

Although Charleston has its own ring of American historical significance, Charleston was transformed during the 21st century by the arts. The Gibbes Museums of Art are among the oldest museums in America. The Gibbes collection is far from typical museums and blends superb artistic work with an interesting story of Charleston’s past.

15 – Taste local treats on a dedicated food tour

Attracting visitors with fresh seafood and classic Southern dishes, food tours offer an unparalleled culinary menu in the taste department. Join a local cook or food lover and explore city streets and alleyways, sampling a selection of local dishes such as grits, fried oysters, and fried greens. To get the most bang for your buck in terms of food and guided history, this is one activity you should not miss.

Charleston culinary tours

Charleston Culinary Tours allows visitors to experience the best of Charleston. Combining the history, heritage, and cultures, Charleston Culinary Tours characterize this charming southern town with its distinctive and international cuisine. Five tours are presented through diverse districts around the town. Visit many different restaurant venues, bars, and markets to enjoy Charleston’s best cuisine while simultaneously celebrating the local historical past and culture. Almost every tour includes a local cook and history enthusiast taking you through the history of the city with stops at famous restaurants and bars.

16 – Go hiking at the Caw Caw Interpretive Center

The Caw Caw Interpretive Center was originally cyprus swamps. Enslaved Africans engineered these swamps into rice plantations, and today it serves as an agrotourism attraction and nature persevere, offering picturesque raised walkways that cross over forests and wetlands. In total, the expansive park offers nearly 10 km of hikes and diverse terrain which welcomes a wide variety of animal species.

17 – Discover the beauty of Charleston with a walking tour

Whitepoint Gardens is nestled in the historic downtown center straddling the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. Whitepoint Gardens offers ample shade for strolls through the beautiful green. This garden is located adjacent to Battery (the historic defensive seawall and promenade) and provides unrivaled panoramic views of Fort Sumter and the beautiful Charleston Bay. If you chose the walking tour, you could walk through Rainbow Row and its pastel-colored historic buildings, the large Joe Riley Waterfront park, and the multi-layered pineapple fountain – an interesting photo spot for photographers.

Rainbow Row

Rainbow Row is a historic landmark of Charleston. It was not always as picturesque and colorful as it is nowadays. Initially, Rainbow Row had homes dating from the 1800s and was a run-down area that was mainly considered a slum after the Civil War. These conditions remained constant until about 1900 when community members bought the homes and revitalized the area, restoring and preserving the city’s history.

Joe Riley Waterfront Park

This 10-acre lakefront park offers guests spectacular views of Cooper Creek and Charleston Harbor. This is a great spot to let kids stretch out and for grown up to appreciate the surroundings. The park has winding walkways with ornate fountains that light up during evening hours, a wide grassy lawn for relaxing, sun tanning, and playing along with beautiful floral displays. Drink fountains are scattered across parks along with wireless Internet access.

18 – Take a stroll on Shem Creek Boardwalk

Keep your camera battery powered up because Shem Creek is the most picturesque river in the Low Country. Located in Shem Creek Park, the creek provides many boat trips that take visitors through the scenic lowlands. Visitors can also take a Shem Creek walking tour to learn about the fishing industry in the Charleston area. Afterward, it will be filled with restaurants and bars to have a relaxing time for a couple of hours.

19 – Get the heart racing at Wild Blue Ropes Adventure Park

Get out of your comfort zone and cross the tightropes at the Wild Blue Ropes Adventure Park. Located on the James Islands, Wild Blaze offers outdoor adventures for any ability or skill level. The low ropes course suits young or experienced climbers whereas more complex sections make for optimum adrenaline-fueled experiences.

20 – Experience elegance at Williams Mansion

The Williams Mansion is a 35-room Italianate mansion that was originally constructed by George Williams for businessman George Williams. It’s the most historic private house in Charleston. This museum is enjoyed by visitors and is part of several tours in the city’s historic center. Elegant and luxurious, the mansion boasts a magnificent banquet hall surrounded by high ceilings, terraces, elevators, a koi pond, and a piazza. Attorney Howard Stahl purchased the home in 2004 when its meticulous restoration was complete and now uses it for his extensive collection of artifacts from the Gilded Age.

21 – Charleston Music Hall

The Charleston Music Hall is located in downtown Charleston. The Hall offers exceptional musical, artistic, and theatrical experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds in the city. Its goal is to promote local, regional, and national talent and encourage community participation. Its tumultuous history of construction, renovations, and decoration following Charleston’s quake of 1886 demolition left it empty in squat conditions until now. In 1995 it grew into a beautiful artistic venue.

22 – Charleston Museum

Founded in 1773, the Charleston Museum is the oldest museum on the South Carolina coast and is dedicated to preserving and exploring Charleston’s history. The museum currently houses various collections of historic exhibits highlighting the history of the region. The Museum covers ten historical buildings – including the Heyward-Washington House – an 18th-century property owned by renowned Revolutionary patriots and signers.

23 – South Carolina Aquarium

The South Carolina Aquarium is located in the historic Charleston harbor and is one of the top attractions in Charleston. This is a fun-filled day full of adventures that the family can enjoy. Home to over ten thousand marine animals and plants from sea otters and squid to tiny sea lions, sharks, and sea horses, the South Carolina Aquarium also provides dozens of fascinating displays and exhibits as well as interactive diving activities.

Where to Eat in Charleston

Lewis Barbecue

Lewis Barbecue is a popular and always-packed Texas-style barbecue restaurant. Firemaster John Lewis serves succulent cut-to-the-measure brisket, home-produced burgers called Hot guts, and delicious pork chops cooked in his enormous, custom-built smoker. This large industrial-chic counter dining space features high ceilings, concrete floors, a large bar, and seating areas. In addition, the garden offers an outdoor picnic area shaded by beautiful Charleston oak trees. With delicious meat comes a lot of good sides such as green chili corn pudding. Wash it all up with a good sangria or margarita.

Stars Rooftop and Grill Room

Stars Rooftop and Grill room is Charleston’s only rooftop bar. Located inside the beautifully restored Arts and Crafts building, the Stars Rooftop and Restaurant Room is just right for a scenic dinner or drinks. Rooftop bars are popular for drinking with friends, offering fantastic panoramic views of city landmarks. A comprehensive menu of beverages includes alcoholic drinks and interesting cocktail signatures. The restaurant is a modern 1930-style house with a lovely walnut kitchen. Visitors can watch different Carolina cuisine dishes cooking on a wood-burning stove inside the exhibit kitchen.

Husk Restaurant

Nestled inside historic Charleston, Husk Restaurant celebrates Southern food with always-changing and locally-made seasonal delights. The adjacent buildings retained the old charm on their exterior, while the interiors reflect an urban transformation using original windows, modern flooring, and exposed brick. It also provides an even bolder statement featuring classic southern cuisine. Enjoy old-favorite dishes like Eggplant Deviled Eggs, South Carolina Shrimp & Okra Stew.

Sesame Burgers and Beer

The relaxed, family-friendly restaurant at Spruill Avenue is famous for pushing burgers to new heights. Its gourmet menu includes burgers made with 100% USDA hormone-free beef or chicken wrapped in a variety of toppings, including bacon, and spicy onions. There are also gluten-free vegetarian options that use fresh and organic local ingredients which are produced by regional farming companies and producers. Sesame Burgers and Beers opens for breakfast and dinner every day.

The Ordinary, Charleston, South Carolina

The Ordinary serves exquisite seafood dishes and unusual seafood. A beautifully restored bank building provides an elegant backdrop for an outstanding seafood menu featuring a 20-foot ceiling. A glowing white bar offers towering oyster platters on half shells by local producers, while standard fixtures like pickled shrimp or fried oyster salads are firm favorites. Each morning the menu changes – there’s a prix fixe choice with an included main dish.

Charleston Brews Cruises

Need some date night ideas? The Charleston Brews Cruise explores the Charleston brewery scene by visiting local craft breweries. Charleston’s beer industry has grown exponentially, with several local breweries spread throughout Charleston. Brews Cruise Tours offers a behind-the-scenes view of the art of brewing, the passion behind the craft, and the hard work required to make a beer distinctive and different from others. Brews Cruise tours are offered daily via bus with free samples of beer and ales, snacks, and water. The bus also has an air cooler to keep all brewery products cold.

Charleston Weekend Itinerary

Only have a weekend to enjoy the Holy City? Here is what to do in Charleston for a weekend.

• Visit Charleston Museums & Homes.
• Take one of the many carriage rides through the city.
• Catch a ferry to Fort Sumter, a national historic landmark.
• Swim in the ocean and enjoy sunsets on Folly Beach.
• Visit the Patriot Point Naval and Marine Museum. (this is one of my favorite family-friendly activities!)
• Visit old Plantation homes in Charleston or the South Carolina Aquarium.

Charleston 1-day Itinerary

So you can only visit Charleston for one day? Such a pity! Make sure to plan another trip to come explore more of the best tourist attractions of the Holy City. Here’s how to get the most out of your day-long excursion in Charleston.

What should I do if I have one day in Charleston SC?

• Visit Charleston’s historical center and learn all about its charms.
• Start your morning with breakfast at Poogan’s Porch.
• Walk through South Carolinas French Quarter on a guided historic walking tour.
• Learn more in the Old Slave Mart Museum.
• Grab lunch at Sesame Burgers.
• Visit the Charleston Waterfront Park and enjoy the pineapple fountain.
• Peruse the artwork at the Charleston City Market.
• Check out the sea life at the South Carolina aquarium.
• Savor dinner at Husk Restaurant.
• End your day with a Harbor Cruise.

Top Picks for Where to Stay in Charleston, SC

VRBO Rentals

VRBO offers rental properties that are perfect for a weekend getaway. Try places outside of Charleston to get the relaxed beach vibe.

• Isle of Palms
• Sullivan’s Island
• Folly Island
• Kiawah Island
• Seabrook Island

Hotels

From budget to luxury, Charleston, SC has places to stay to meet any budget.

Luxury Hotels

• Hilton hotels: Hilton Club Liberty Place
• French Quarter Inn: This luxury hotel is located in the prime location of the French Quarter in downtown Charleston.
• Francis Marion Hotel: Located on desirable upper King Street across from Marion Square.

Budget-friendly Hotels

• Holiday Inn, by IHG
• Double Tree, by Hilton
• Springhill Suites, by Marriott

Resorts

• Wild Dunes Resort
• The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina
• The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Camping

• James Island County Park
• Oak Plantation Campground
• Mount Pleasant/Charleston KOA

Travel Helps

Don’t waste time or money on your weekend getaway. Use these travel helps to find the best deals for lodging, transportation, and attractions.

Other Weekend Getaways

Need some more weekend getaway ideas? Check out some of these other amazing destinations:

• St. Augustine, FL
• Chattanooga, TN
• Asheville, NC

Conclusion

Charleston, South Carolina is one of the most beautiful and historic places you can visit. These 10 things to do in Charleston this weekend are just the tip of the iceberg. Make sure to soak up the sun, sea, and southern charm.

What is your favorite thing to do in Charleston on the weekend?

Let me know in the comments below. I want to know all the best spots for my next visit to the Holy City. If you found this article helpful, don’t forget to Pin, Share, and Subscribe.