First-Time Visitors Guide

Charleston has so much to offer that it can be a little overwhelming trying to figure out what to see and do first. If you only have a short time to visit or if it’s your first time in the Holy City, there are a few things you just can’t miss. We’ve compiled a list of the mustvisit attractions and tours to see while you’re here.

CARRIAGE TOUR

Book a horse-drawn carriage ride through downtown. Your tour guide is randomly assigned a route and will delight your tour group with stories and facts about Charleston from her earliest days to the present.

BUS TOUR

Even if the weather isn’t cooperating, you can still take in the sights with a bus tour. Board a climate-controlled bus to see some of historic Charleston’s best views from architecture to gardens.

HIT THE BEACH

There are amazing public beaches in Charleston, each with its own vibe and amenities. Visit Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, or check out Isle of Palms or Sullivan’s Island, both of which are located near Mount Pleasant.

SHEM CREEK

One of the most picturesque waterways in the area, Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant is a great spot for kayaking or simply enjoying drinks and a fresh seafood dinner with a water view.

PLANTATION TOUR

Area plantations have tours and special exhibits that offer visitors an eye-opening understanding and deeper education of slave life in the Lowcountry. Local plantations include Boone Hall Plantation, Drayton Hall Plantation, Magnolia Plantation, McLeod Plantation and Middleton Place Plantation.

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RAINBOW ROW

If you’re walking down Market or King streets, take a detour to Rainbow Row and Battery Park starting on East Bay Street. Rainbow Row includes a stretch of 13 brightly colored historic homes that you’ve probably seen in famous photographs. Rainbow Row also sits along the Battery, a Civil War-era defensive seawall and promenade along the Charleston harbor. Continue along the Battery to White Point Garden, a public park on the tip of the peninsula. Walk the park to see several statues and monuments.

WALKING HISTORY TOUR

To fully immerse yourself in Charleston culture and history, walk the historic streets on a history tour. These guided tours offer a whole new perspective on the Holy City and afterward you’ll feel like a local with all your newfound Charleston knowledge.

HISTORIC HARBOR

Take a harbor tour for a view of Charleston’s skyline and a closer look at the spot where the Civil War began. On April 12, 1861, Confederate artillery opened fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston's harbor. Union soldiers surrendered the fort 34 hours later and tried for nearly four years to take it back.

ANGEL OAK

Take the picturesque drive to Johns Island to stand under the branches of the majestic Angel Oak tree. Part of a public city park, its canopy of branches spans 17,000 square feet. The tree is located at 3688 Angel Oak Road.