There are many reasons why Conde Naste Travel Magazine has named Charleson it's Top US City multiple years running. Charleston is home to superb shrimp and grits, she crab soup, historic homes, blooming gardens, world class women's tennis, glistening harbors and tidal creeks, warm sandy beaches, America's only tea plantation, Darius Rucker, and Bill Murray. The list goes on and on. It's easy to see why hundreds of thousands of people visit every year, and why some decide to pack up their homes and make Charleston a permanent residence.
There are quite a few attractions in Charleston that make the city, well, attractive. Below are some of our favorites. Whenever we can, we try to offer discounts, so look for our coupon links or discount booking codes associated with the tours and attractions featured. Click below or browse our Charleston Attractions section to find out more.
Charleston Carriage Tour
Tour 25-30 blocks of one of the largest historic districts in the world by carriage tour. As you ride, a tour guide licensed with the city of Charleston will give you the history and background of what you are seeing. Get a glimpse of historic homes, gardens, and government buildings on one of Charleston's most popular tours with Palmetto Carriage Works. Discount code: travelingink
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Charleston Harbor Tours
Spend 90 minutes seeing Charleston and Mt. Pleasant from the water while cruising the Charleston Harbor. The 80 foot Carolina Belle offers views from two decks, one open air, and one climate controlled. Dolphins are frequent visitors as guests get views of Waterfront Park, Fort Sumter, the Battery, the USS Yorktown, and the Ravenel Bridge as their guide gives them information as they pass. Discount code: travelingink
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Schooner Pride Sailing
Sail from the Aquarium Wharf aboard this 84 foot ship modeled after 18th century coastal trading ships that would have frequented the Carolinas. She sails with the tides and the wind so each trip aboard the Pride is slightly different. Afternoon dolphin sails and sunset sails are available daily. Discount code: travelingink
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Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Visit South Carolina's first tourism attraction and only romantic style garden! The garden is planted with rotating blooms so there is something blooming in every season. Guests can enjoy the historic gardens, petting zoo, the conservatory, orientation theatre, Peacock Cafe, and more! Print out a coupon or book below with our discount code: travelingink10
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Boone Hall Plantation
Established in 1681, Boone Hall Plantation sits on the Wampacheone Creek in modern day Mt. Pleasant. Tours opened to the public in the 1950s and include the plantation house tour, garden grounds, butterfly pavillion, slave history presentation and cabins, plantation coach tour, Gullah culture presentation, and the avenue of oaks. Morning and afternoon tours depart from the Charleston Visitors Bureau bus departure area daily giving guests 3 hours to explore the grounds and exhibits at Boone Hall. Discount code: travelingink10
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See It All City Bus Tour
Enjoy a fun, informative 1.5 hour tour of downtown Charleston as a knowledgeable tour guide shares 350 years of history while driving you through the streets of the Lowcountry. Highlights include views of the Citadel Military College, Hampton Park, the historic district including the residential area, Rainbow Row, a number of historic churches, the City Market, White Point Gardens and the Battery.
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Charleston Culinary Tours
Charleston is a favorite for foodies and understandably so. Chose from a 2.5 to 3 hour tour where you go from one restaurant stop to the next to learn about the Charleston culinary scene and what is inspiring Lowcountry chefs. And, of course, there are samples at each stop along the way. You won't leave hungry! Discount code: travelingink4
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Charleston Mixology Tour
Guests will enjoy a 1.5 hour tour of three downtown Charleston watering holes. Sample a specialty cocktail at each of the stops following an overview from the mixologist behind the bar. As you travel from one stop to the next, your guide will fill you in on the skinny behind Charleston's cocktail culture. Discount code: travelingink3
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Patriots Point and the USS Yorktown
Tours depart in the morning and give guests approximately 4 hours to explore the Medal of Honor Museum, Vietnam Experience, the USS Laffey Battleship, the Cold War Memorial, and the decks of the USS Yorktown. Tour prices include transportation from any downtown pick-up location to Patriots Point and back. Come experience military history.
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Charleston Triple Tour - Three Tours in One
Enjoy three of Charleston's best attractions in one ticket price! Guests will start with a carriage tour of the downtown historic district, followed by a trip to the Powder Magazine Museum, and wrap up the day with a tour of one of downtown Charleston's historic house museums. Guests will be escorted from one attraction to the next by a knowledgeable Traveling Ink team member. Ticket price includes all three attractions. Price does not include lunch or gratuity.
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Historic Charleston Trivia Hunt
Looking for a fun way for your group to learn about Charleston at your own pace? Check out this interactive text-driven Charleston Trivia Hunt. This is a group activity and requires a minimum of 6 guests to book.
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Steeplechase Running Tour
Enjoy a light running pace as you traverse the historic district of Charleston with your Steeplechase tour guide. This 1.5 hour tour and low-key workout makes 10-12 stops along a 3.5 mile route enabling guests to enjoy historic homes, beautiful iron work, churches, gardens, parks, and public buildings. Discount code: traveling
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Charleston Surf Lessons
Looking to improve your skills or want to check learning to surf off your bucket list? Gorgeous beaches and manageable waves make Folly Beach an excellent place to learn how to surf or hone your skills. Experienced instructors offer lessons from 8:30am-4:30pm daily and will provide all the equipment and instruction you need to get out on the water. Discount code: travelingink3
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Coastal Expeditions Kayak Tours
Chose from one of three locations, Shem Creek, Isle of Palms, or Folly Creek, to embark on your kayak tour of Lowcountry waters. Birds of all kind including pelicans, egrets, and herons are frequent visitors as well as dolphins, and even the ocassional stingray or manatee. The tour guides are dedicated naturalists who are eager to share the natural beauty and wildlife of Lowcountry waterways for paddlers at most any level of experience. Discount code: traveling
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**Traveling Ink does it's best to try to keep the attraction and tour pages up to date, but advises guests it is always a good idea to double check with the venue in regard to hours of operation or any holiday or weather closures. If a guest has any question about a tour, location, or event on the website, we welcome them to send us a message on our contact form. We will do our best to get back to you within 24 hours.