WITH THE EVER CHANGING CITY RESTRICTIONS AND CLOSINGS OF SOME LOCAL BUSINESSES DUE TO COVID, PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL DIRECTLY TO ANY BUSINESS, EVENT, SITE OR ACTIVITY THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO VISIT WHILE IN CHARLESTON FOR THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION.
Charleston Carriage Horse Advocates believes their beautiful city can be explored in many humane ways without abusing animals that work in urban environments. If you plan to visit Charleston, check out alternative ways you can enjoy the city in place of a horse carriage tour.
Humane Activities to do in Charleston!
Image from Charleston City Paper
Best of Charleston 2024
Check out the best of Charleston’s Culture, Arts, and entertainment! Whether you are looking for a night on the town, the perfect brunch spot, or just wanting to soak in history, you can enjoy all things Charleston without the inhumane practice of horse carriages. See the list here!
Schooler Pride in the harbor during sunset.
Want to tour the city in style?
Bike rental sites are available around the downtown area — Biking is a great way to exercise while you tour the city at your own pace without the inhumane practice of horse carriages. See Charleston from the sky with private helicopter tours or charter a boat with one of many boat tours available, like the 84′ tall ship Schooner Pride. To get up close and personal with the harbor’s marine life, paddleboard and kayak tours are the way to go.
Bus tours like Gullah tours will give you special insight into the rich cultural history of the Lowcountry, but walking tours will let you get up close and personal with the city’s incomparable history and culture.
The Adventure, a replica 17th century trading vessel at Charles Towne Landing.
Looking for fun for the whole family?
Beautiful Southern weather allows outdoor play and exploration year-round. Spend your day learning about regional history at Fort Sumter, an iconic island fortification notable for two battles of the Civil War, Fort Moultrie, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, which offers a train tour, or Charles Towne Landing, the birthplace of the Carolina colony. Discover the beauty of avian and marine life at The Center for Birds of Prey: The Avian Conservation Center and the South Carolina Aquarium. Bond with the family over engaging outdoor activities like Big City Hunt, a city-wide scavenger hunt. Or, visit any one of the 33 county parks. Museums like Patriots Point, a maritime museum on the harbor, Charleston Museum, Gibbes Museum of Art, and Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, a hands-on museum for kids, also give families the opportunity to learn together and keep the little ones occupied with interactive exhibits.
Sunset at The Watch Rooftop Kitchen & Spirits
In town for a conference?
When you come to Charleston for a specific event, you shouldn’t count out all other fun. The historic city has plenty of engaging and interesting activities for individual adults. Shop the historic streets of The Market area, a 200 year old market complex that spans 4 blocks. Make new friends at local distilleries and brew houses or find the perfect place to meet colleagues after panels on any one of Charleston’s rooftop bars and watch the sun set over the city skyline. If you just want to waste time or get away from the busy conference center for a bit, stroll through White Point Garden, a public park with stunning views of the Harbor and Fort Sumter.
The tasting room at Mira Winery.
Enjoying a romantic weekend getaway?
Voted the best city for a romantic escape in 2015 by Travel + Leisure, Charleston’s cobblestone streets, Avenue of Oaks, waterfront swings, and charming gardens makes it the perfect destination for your couple’s getaway. Escape to Morris Island, an uninhabited island accessible only by boat, or watch the sunset from a sailboat in the harbor over dinner for 2. Head to one of the local beaches for the day to stroll in the sand and waves and relax in the sun. Folly Beach is popular with the local surfing group. Expand your tastes at Mira Winery Charleston Education Center and Tasting Room or take cooking classes together.
Drayton Hall, a Palladian plantation house open to the public.
Interested in the city’s vast history?
2020 was 350th anniversary of the City of Charleston — Charleston has a rich and diverse cultural heritage and, as a port city, was an early gateway to the United States and a key trading and import/export commerce center. As one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the US, the architecture, decorative arts, literary, culinary, cultural, and other distinguishing characteristics have survived wars, fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, and epidemics for over 3 centuries. The Preservation Society of Charleston and Historic Charleston Foundation have annual private house and garden tours with additional lectures, an antique show, and other activities/programs to highlight all that is Charleston. Historic house museums, government buildings, public parks, churches, other museums and military sites are open year-round.
Visit a local National Park: https://www.fs.usda.gov/scnfs
Private tastings by reservation available at Deep Water Vineyard.
In town for your bachelor(ette) party?
The wild night out is a given – but what about the daytime? Gather your friends and get creative with your last experience single! Master the waters and charter a fishing boat. Or, relax on the Schooner Pride with a drink in hand and 360 degrees of views. Take a paddleboard or kayak to Morris Island, an uninhabited island in the harbor, or head out to Wadmalaw Island for vineyards, and more. Hit up the Historic District and shop The Market, spanning 4 blocks of downtown Charleston and trendsetting King Street, or bond with your wedding party at Wild Blue Ropes Adventure Park, a high ropes course for every experience level, or experience the United States’ only tea garden.
For more indoor activities, master southern cuisine with group cooking classes or hang out at a winery tasting room or one of the city’s many rooftop bars.
A dog participating in the Retriever Demo at SEWE.
Festivals in Charleston
Charleston offers major events and festivals year-round. Plan your trip to the Lowcountry around our most popular annual festivals.
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Summer
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Fall