Things To Do
Folly Beach
The closest beach to downtown Charleston, Folly is a mecca for surfers, fishermen and all lovers of the laid-back beach lifestyle. You’ll find excellent pier and surf fishing, an enticing variety of restaurants and bars, live music, and some of the best surfing on the East Coast. Expect a younger crowd at Folly Beach.
Isle of Palms Beach
The family-friendly alternative to Folly Beach. With 6 miles of white, sandy beaches, the Isle of Palms is a unique barrier island on the coast of South Carolina, less than 20 minutes from Charleston. With its pristine beaches, clean water, and natural wildlife, this is the go-to beach for the Murphy family. The IoP beaches are great for swimming, lounging, fishing, biking and kayaking.
Charleston City Market
It has been a shopping hub since the 1800s and is one of the country’s oldest city markets. The market buzzes with residents and visitors alike, perusing stalls loaded with toys, clothes, art, leather goods and regional souvenirs. There are plenty of locally made products for sale at the market, which you can distinguish based on a "Certified Authentic: Handmade in Charleston" tile displayed on particular vendor stations.
Rainbow Row
Rainbow Row is the name for a series of colorful historic houses in Charleston, South Carolina. The houses are located north of Tradd St. and south of Elliot St. on East Bay Street. It is referred to as Rainbow Row for the pastel colors used to paint all of the houses. It is a common tourist attraction and is one of the most photographed parts of Charleston.
Angel Oak Tree
Visitors will find one of Charleston's most photographed icons on Johns Island: the Angel Oak. It is said to be the largest live oak east of the Mississippi. The gorgeous tree is 65 feet high, with a circumference of 25.5 feet. It's estimated that the tree shades an area of nearly 20,000 square feet and is between 300 and 400 years old. Visitors in the thousands flock to the tree to pose next to its long limbs.
South Carolina Aquarium
Home to more than 5,000 animals, the South Carolina Aquarium is located on the Charleston Harbor downtown and boasts views of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, meaning it must pass a rigorous animal welfare check annually. Therefore, visitors can rest assured that the aquarium's many residents – ranging from alligators to eels to otters – are treated with the utmost care.
Fort Sumter & Fort Moultrie National Historical Park
Learn all about this storied spot of the first clash between the Union and Confederate armies in the Civil War, in which the Union forces finally surrendered after a 34-hour bombardment by the Rebels.