Top Six Things To Do In Charleston, SC
People gravitate towards the city of Charleston for several reasons. It’s southern charm, buzzing restaurants and bars, stylistic choices, electric artifacts, magnanimous curb appeal, – we could go on for the whole article. All of these factors combine to form a tourist’s paradise, which is also why we’ve decided to compile our list of the top things to do in Charleston.
Spanning through new and old, we’ve intricately placed all of the essential spots around the city that ensure you remember your trip and have some of it to take home as well. One thing’s certain: whether it’s your first trip or your fifth, you’ll never run out of the things you can do in Charleston since it’s a city quite simply like no other.
High Wire Distilling
High Wire was Charleston’s first-ever distilling since prohibition. This location has been gathering people in large numbers thanks to its cypress-paneled tasting room and unique spirits. Every tour inside the distillery has to be limited to 16 people, and they tend to fill up fairly quickly. Once on tour, you’ll get to enjoy a closer look at the succession of gleaming tanks and custom mills, and you’ll also get to see a giant copper pot.
In this tour, you’re also going to learn about the science that goes on behind milling, agitating, heating, mashing, distilling, and fermenting. Distillation is the magical process that will transforms liquid into vapor and then back to liquid again. As the grand finale, you’ll also get to sample artisanal spirits in the facility’s tasting room. If you want a complete tour of the distillery room, we would highly recommend getting a reservation.
P.S: Walk-ins can also go for an abbreviated tour from their bar stool.
The Self-Guided Walking Tour
You can hop into a pedicab, a horse carriage or join a guided tour and you’re going to see the city surely. But on some days, you’ll want to explore the city on your terms. On some days, you’ll want the city to feel your vibe without a history lesson going down your ear, and the best way you can do this is by walking around on foot. This is a walking tour around Charleston that is only under two miles at length, and it’s great for anyone who is visiting the city of Charleston.
You’ll start at Waterfront Park, which has a pier going towards the harbor; you’ll then enjoy picturesque views of the Colonial city wall and make your way towards the Eastern Bay. Here you may catch a regatta going on. As you ogle the oaks and walk towards the Legare, this tour will offer you all kinds of sightseeing options.
The Citadel
The massive campus of the Citadel has several memorials, landmarks, and monuments that can be found just a ten-minute drive from the northwest of the center. It was established in 1942 as a prestigious military college, and now, visitors can take guided tours of the structure. You’ll get to see the beautiful Spanish-styled schools, parade ground, and barracks. When you’re done strolling on the colorful Checkerboard of Padgett-Thomas, you can also stop by the beautiful Summerall Chapel and the distinctive Bell Tower.
Scattered here, you’re also going to find memorials and monuments that belong to military personnel and campaigns. Every once a week, visitors can watch a fully-dressed parade from the soldiers where you’ll get to see regimental band and pipes put on an astounding performance.
Folly Beach
Almost everyone visits Charleston for its beautiful tourist attractions, old-world charm, and incredible architecture, but it also has some beautiful beaches. After you’ve spent a couple of days walking around town, it’s going to be incredibly fulfilling heading towards the nearby Folly Beach. It’s a place where you can easily catch the rays, enjoy the waves, and relax.
Situated twenty minutes away from the center of Charleston, Folly Beach gets a huge stretch from the Atlantic Ocean’s coastline where tourists can surf, swim and sunbathe. Even though it can get fairly busy on weekends since locals and tourists gather in huge numbers, there is more than enough beach to go around. There are several eateries and bars that you can try out, too!
White Point Gardens
Set right on the peninsula’s southern tip are the White Point and Battery gardens that offer brilliant views overlooking the harbor. Dotted around the park and the promenade are several interesting memorials and monuments that give those beautiful Southern-style mansions a worthy view. White Point was originally supposed to be a public garden, but during the American civil war, the wall surrounding the area was fortified, reinforced, and then turned into a battery. Many of the monuments on this spot have a military theme, and you’re also going to find statues of military heroes and several historic cannons.
Magnolia Gardens
Not too far away from Middleton Palace and Drayton Hall, you’re going to find the beautiful Magnolia Plantation and its beautiful gardens. Considered one of the oldest plantations in the southern part of America, it dates back to 1676. It has romantic-styled gardens, a plethora of attractions, and several exhibitions, which make it a popular place to visit amongst locals and tourists.
Apart from strolling in its various gardens, you can also explore the house’s interiors and learn about the history of the enslaved Africans who used to work on the plantation. There’s also a petting zoo where you can stop by, boat cruises in the rice field, and the swamp’s lake tours. All in all, this is one of those spots you should not miss out on.
While our collection of the top things to do in Charleston ends here, your journey around this beautiful city is only getting started! Create your itinerary today and start going around your favorite spots in the city today. There’s a lot more to Charleston than the locations we’ve listed, and you’ll find that out for yourself when you’re making rounds of the city.