Charleston, SC ranks as the best city in the world according to Travel & Leisure. Downtown Charleston is full of historic homes and sites, shopping, and great restaurants. The Charleston peninsula is surrounded by a beautiful harbor and rivers and there are great beaches nearby.
Kid-friendly Activities:
- South Carolina Aquarium – pet sting rays, watch playful otters, see a working sea turtle hospital, and so much more at this great aquarium on the harbor. Get Tickets >
- Waterfront Park and Fountains – There is a great park along the harbor that includes 2 fountains that kids can splash in. Map >
- Walk along the Battery – The battery is a wall protecting the tip of the Charleston peninsula and has a walkway along the top where you can watch for dolphins as you stroll along the beautiful historic street with historic mansions. Map >
- Take a Carriage Ride – A fun way to see many of the historic sites and beauty of downtown Charleston without having to walk! Horse-drawn carriage rides include a knowledgeable tour guide who will tell you more about the history of the city. Get Tickets >
- Patriots Point – Tour the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier, explore the maritime museum, and see historic aircraft. Located on the Charleston Harbor on the Mount Pleasant side, you can either take the Charleston Water Taxi from downtown Charleston or drive across the beautiful Ravenel bridge. Learn more and get tickets >
- Take a Boat Ride – The lovely Charleston Harbor is a great place to take a boat ride, see historic sites from the water, and watch the dolphins that call the Harbor home. There are several options ranging from larger boats like the Carolina Belle Daytime or Sunset Cruise and the 84-foot classic tall ship The Schooner Pride to Private Sailboats or Speedboats. We also highly recommend Eco-Tours that take you through the intercoastal waterways and islands outside of Charleston harbor, like this tour that includes Morris Island.
- Fort Sumter – Take a ferry ride through Charleston Harbor to the small island where the historic Fort Sumter stands. Enjoy a self-guided tour exploring the site of the first battle of the Civil War. Get Tickets >
- Walk the Bridge – The beautiful Ravenel bridge crosses the Charleston Harbor and connects the Charleston peninsula to the town of Mount Pleasant. It includes a nice pedestrian walkway and can be a lovely place for a walk with gorgeous views.
- The Charleston Museum – learn about the history of Charleston, about animals that once lived here, and how the first settlers lived. Get tickets >
- Charles Town Landing – Travel up the Ashley River to the site of the first permanent English settlement in South Carolina. This state park includes a small zoo with bears, bison, elk, wolves, otters, and more. The grounds are beautiful and include gardens, an avenue of oak trees, the historic Legare Waring House, a historic ship, and lovely paths along the Ashely River. We highly recommend renting bikes so you can see all the beauty of the grounds without walking too much. Learn More >
- Magnolia Plantation – There are several plantations in the area, but this one is a kid favorite because of the petting zoo area. You can also walk through beautiful gardens. For extra fees, you can take a ride on the nature train, take the “Slavery to Freedom Tour”, tour the Magnolia House, and walk through the Audubon Swamp to see alligators. “>Learn about ticket packages > If you’d like transportation from downtown and a guided tour, consider this 3rd party tour.
- Beaches – there are 3 great beaches in the Charleston area – Folly Beach (best for surfing), Sullivan’s Island (smallest waves – good for small kids), and Isle of Palms (medium waves and has a county park with bath houses and lifeguards). The beaches are about 20 minutes from downtown, more with traffic. All the beaches have good food options nearby.
- Lowcountry Children’s Museum – a typical children’s museum located downtown. Best for kids age 10 or under. Learn More >
- Water Parks – There are several county parks with water parks. The biggest and best one is Whirlin Waters in North Charleston. Learn More >
- Parks and Playgrounds – There are many excellent parks and playgrounds around Charleston. Our favorites: Downtown – Hazel Parker Playground and Waterfront Park, Mount Pleasant – Waterfront Park and Playground or Palmetto Islands Park, James Island – James Island County Park.
- Historic Home Tours – There are several historic homes in downtown Charleston that offer tours. This may not be fun for many kids, but some may find it interesting.
Places to Stay:
Hotel Bennett
This luxury hotel in downtown Charleston is near shopping and restaurants on King Street, has an awesome rooftop pool, and has restaurants on-site. Learn More >
Mills House
This historic hotel with modern renovations is in a perfect location if you want to be surrounded by Charleston history and charm. You can walk to many great restaurants, parks, museums, and more. The hotel also has an outdoor pool and a restaurant on site. It’s also a Hilton property if you collect Hilton points. Learn More >
Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina
This is the best choice if you want resort-style amenities, family suites, and a large pool with a view. But a large pool means it’s not downtown but across the harbor in Mount Pleasant. You can take the Charleston Water taxi across the harbor, take the hotel’s free shuttle, or drive over the bridge and park, but if you plan to spend most of your time downtown, you may want to choose a downtown hotel so you can walk around easily. Learn More >
French Quarter Inn
This beautiful, historic, boutique hotel is in a great location for enjoying the charm of downtown Charleston. There is no pool, but breakfast is included and they give out milk and cookies. You’ll love the service and charm of this hotel! Learn More >