ATTRACTIONS IN CHARLESTON, SC
Aiken-Rhett House
48 Elizabeth Street(843) 723-1159
www.historiccharleston.org
Hours: Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm / Sun 2pm - 5pm
Admission charged.
Dating from 1819, this mansion was once the headquarters of Confederate general Beauregard. Of special note are the original wallpaper, paint colors and some of its furnishings. The house, kitchen, slave quarters and work yard are maintained much as they were when the original occupants lived here.
American Military Museum
360 Concord Street, Ste. #9(843) 723-9620
www.americanmilitarymuseum.org
Hours: Mon - Sat 10am - 6pm / Sun 1pm - 6pm
Admission charged.
The museum has on display hundreds of uniforms and artifacts from all branches of service, dating from the Revolutionary War to the present. Its collections also include antique toy soldiers, war toys, miniatures and weaponry.
Calhoun Mansion
16 Meeting Street(843) 722-8205
www.calhounmansion.net
Hours: Feb - Dec / Wed - Sun 10am - 4pm
Admission charged.
This lavish mansion is an interesting example of Victorian architecture. Built in 1876, it's notable for ornate plasterwork, fine wood moldings and a 75-foot domed ceiling.
Charleston Museum
360 Meeting St(843) 722-2996
www.charlestonmuseum.org
A vast collection of city memorabilia conveniently located across from the town visitor center. The Charleston Museum Summer Family Calendar annually features everything from Submarines and Museum Magic with Harry Potter to Crazy Quilts and Crawling Crustaceans, plus much more. Extended hours begin July 5th. Every Thursday night during the summer, the exhibits remain open until 7:30 p.m. Kid-story offers younger history buffs a chance to have a more interactive museum experience.
Children's Museum
25 Ann Street(843) 853-8962
www.explorecml.org
Hours: Tue - Sat 10am - 5pm / Sun 1pm - 5pm
Race boats down raging rapids, captain a Lowcountry shrimp boart or climb to the top of medieval castle! Eight fun-filled exhibits combine playing and learning.
Civil War Walking Tour
www.civilwarwalk.com17 Arch Dale Street
(843) 722-7033
Where: leaves from The Mills House Hotel (115 Meeting Street)
When: 9am Daily
Get ready for the best Civil War Walking Tour available in Charleston, SC. Jack Thomson will thrill you with his knowledge of Charleston's Civil War History. Jack's tour has been voted the BEST Civil War Walking Tour in Charleston, SC.
Circular Congregational Church
150 Meeting Street(843) 577-6400
www.circularchurch.org
Hours: Call for tour schedule
Simple yet attractive, this church has a beamed, vaulted ceiling and is an splendid example of Romanesque architecture.
City Hall
80 Broad St.(843) 577-6970
www.charlestoncity.info
Hours: Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm
Admission: Free
The intersection of Meeting and Broad streets is known as the "Four Corners of Law", representing the laws of nation, state, city, and church. On the northeast corner is graceful City Hall, dating from 1801. The second-floor Council Chamber has numerous interesting historical displays and portraits.
Dock Street Theatre
135 Church St.(843) 720-3968
www.charlestonstage.com
Hours: Weekdays 10-4
Hours: Mon - Fri 10am - 4pm
Admission: Free tours; call ahead for ticket prices and performance times.
Built on the site of one of the nation's first playhouses, the building combines the reconstructed early Georgian playhouse and the preserved Old Planter's Hotel (circa 1809). The theater, which offers fascinating backstage views, welcomes tours.
Drayton Hall
(843) 769-2600www.draytonhall.org
Hours: Open Daily (except major holiday's)
A National Trust Historic Site Circa 1738, Drayton Hall is the oldest preserved plantation house in America open to the public. Hourly tours, daily programs, self-guided river/marsh walks, African-American Cemetery, artisan-inspired Museum Shop, and new DVD Landscape Tour.
Edmondston-Alston House
21 E. Battery Street(843) 722-7171
www.middletonplace.org
Hours: Tues - Sat 10am - 4:30pm / Sun - Mon 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Admission charged.
Featuring spectacular views of Charleston Harbor, this imposing home was built in 1825 in late-Federal style and was transformed into a Greek Revival structure during the 1840s. It is tastefully furnished with antiques, portraits, prints, silver and fine china.
French Protestant (Huguenot) Church
110 Church St.(843) 722-4385
www.frenchchurch.org
Hours: Weekdays 10am - 12:30pm & 2pm - 4pm
Admission: Donations Accepted and Welcomed
This church is the only one in the country still using the original French Huguenot liturgy.
Fort Moultrie
W. Middle St., Sullivan's Island(843) 883-3123
www.nps.gov/fomo
Hours: Daily 9am - 5pm
Admission: Free
At this site Colonel William Moultrie's South Carolinians repelled a British assault in one of the first Patriot victories of the Revolutionary War. A 20-minute film tells the history of the fort.
Fort Sumter
360 Concord Street, Ste. 201(843) 722-2628
www.nps.gov/fosu
Fort Sumter is the site of the first battle that started the Civil War. A pleasant boat trip docks at this island which features a great Civil War museum inside the fort. The only tour stopping at Fort Sumter national Monument. Cruise to the island fort and enjoy breathtaking views of the Atlantic. Tours depart from Visitor Center at Liberty Square downtown and from Patriots Point, Mt. Pleasant. Tours last 2 1/4 hours.
Gibbs Museum of Art
135 Meeting Street(843) 720-1691
www.gibbsmuseum.org
This museum features an outstanding collection of more than 7,000 American paintings, prints and drawings from the 18th century to the present.
Hunley Weekend Tours (Friends of the Hunley)
1250 Supply Street #225(843) 722-2333 (877-4HUNLEY)
www.hunley.org
In 1864 the Hunley became the world's first successful combat submarine then mysteriously vanished. Lost at sea for 136 years, the Hunley was raised in 2000. See this National Treasure and artifacts excavated from inside.
Magnolia Plantation & Audubon Swamp Garden
3550 Ashley River Road (Hwy-61 twelve miles West of Charleston)(843) 571-1266
www.magnoliaplantation.com
Stunning ornamental gardens (best in spring and early summer) with tram rides through the swamp, complete with wildlife and lush flowers.
Nathaniel Russel House
51 Meeting Street(843) 724-8181
www.historiccharleston.org
This national historic landmark is one of the most important neoclassical homes in America. Features include art and furnishings from the late 18th century and early 19th century.
Old Charleston Market
6 Chalmers Street(843) 958-6467
www.historiccharleston.org
Hours: Mon - Sat 9am - 5pm
North and South Market Streets between Meeting and East Bay streets
A narrow line of low-roofed nineteenth-century sheds, packed with 'basket ladies' selling crafts, jewelry, spices, T-shirts and trinkets.
Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon
122 East Bay Street(843) 727-2165
www.oldexchange.com
Often called the "Independence Hall of South Carolina," the Old Exchange was built in the late 1700's. Today, this impressive building is filled with historical items of the state and region.
Public Beaches
A renourished beach lures vacationers to Folly Beach. There are good seafood restaurants and colorful bars. All in all, Folly is a beachcomber's delight. Directions to Folly Beach: If you cross the Ashley River Bridges and follow Folly Road to the end, you will soon come to Folly Beach, located south of Charleston. Another popular beach is found on Isle of Palms, a barrier island on the South Carolina coast less than 20 minutes from Charleston. It is home to the world-famous Wild Dunes Resort.See more about local Charleston Beaches here: Charleston Area Beaches
Splash Zone
James Island County Park871 Riverland Drive
(843) 795-7275
www.ccprc.com
Admission charged.
Children under 2 free When the temperatures start rising, visitors of all ages will enjoy this favorite summer playground located within the James Island County Park. The park features two 200-foot tube slides, a Caribbean play structure with slides, a 500-foot lazy river, and a recreational pool.
South Carolina Aquarium
100 Aquarium Wharf(843) 720-1990
www.scaquarium.org
Get up close to sharks, sea turtles and river otters at Charleston's #1 attraction! Enjoy interactive play areas and a new touch tank featuring sting rays! Coming March 21, 2009 - Penguin Planet! Plus Sea Turtle Hospital Tours. Daily Shows.