15 Favorite Things To Do in Charleston With Kids (2026)

 

Ahhhh, Charleston. The land of sweet tea, true Southern charm, and history that feels like your favorite great-aunt whispering secrets after a couple of glasses of wine — fascinating, a little cringe, but making up for it with incredible food.

A Charleston family trip is unlike any other. It’s colorful, hospitable, and soaked in American history that doesn’t feel old. Add some of the best seafood on the East Coast, beaches that converted this West Coast family for life, and a downtown so pretty it feels staged — and you’ve got a place that’s genuinely hard to leave. (We loved it so much we bought a condo on one of the beaches. Guests can stay there — more on that below!)

Whether you’re planning a spring getaway, a fall escape, or a full summer beach week, Charleston delivers for every kind of family traveler. Beaches, adventure, history, relaxation, and food that will ruin you for everywhere else — it’s all here. We’ve been coming back for years, and we’ve rounded up our favorite things to do in Charleston with kids so your family can fall just as hard as we did.

 

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Take A Carriage Ride

Charleston is full of historic beauty, and the old-world architecture and festive colors of its homes and buildings are unlike anything you can see in the US.  A great way to get into the spirit is on a horse-drawn carriage tour through Charleston proper. 

I’ll preface that I’m an animal lover, so whenever my family and I decide to go to an attraction that features animals, I tend to read up on it first, to make sure it’s a business I want to support.  Old South Carriage Co. is the outfit we used and has a whole page dedicated to the care of their horses, including information on their “horse resort” out in the country that the horses get to vacation at periodically throughout the year, and the precautions they take to keep them healthy and happy in the South Carolina heat.

We loved the tour guide, who was super informative and had a great sense of humor.  We saw and learned a ton, definitely way more than we would have learned if we had just toured the city on our own.  

 

 

BOOK your horse-drawn family tour here!

 

 

Visit Rainbow Row

I admit it. I wasn’t able to angle the teens with the 13 pastel-colored Georgian row houses better than the photo above, but it’s definitely worth visiting what is arguably the most photographed block in Charleston, if not the US. Originally built in the 1700s, these homes were used as shops, residences, and warehouses. After they fell into disrepair in the 1900s, they were almost torn down, but Susan Pringle Frost wanted to preserve Charleston’s heritage and bought a few to restore.

 

 

Walk The Rainbow Row, The Battery, and Waterfront Park Loop

If you only have a few hours to explore Charleston on foot, this is the walk. Start at The Battery and White Point Garden at the southernmost tip of the peninsula, where the Ashley and Cooper Rivers meet the harbor. The cannons, monuments, and sweeping water views make for a dramatic introduction to the city — and the grand Antebellum homes lining the street will have you wondering what it would have been like to live here when they were new. Spoiler: complicated.

From there, head north on East Bay Street and you’ll run right into Rainbow Row — The colors were actually a practical 18th-century invention to help merchants identify their shops from the harbor. Now they’re just iconic.

If you’re with younger kids or teens who need a stop, just past Rainbow Row, pop into Hazel Parker Playground for a quick energy break before continuing. Swings, slides, and a little breathing room go a long way mid-walk.

Then cut left toward the water and into Waterfront Park, one of those rare urban spaces that actually delivers on its promise. Stroll the shaded pathways along the harbor, walk out to the end of the pier for a view of the Cooper River Bridge, and don’t skip the Pineapple Fountain — the kids can wade in the lower basin on hot days, and it’s become one of Charleston’s most beloved landmarks for good reason.

From Waterfront Park, it’s an easy stroll back to East Bay Street for lunch or an afternoon snack. The whole loop is just under a mile, and one of the best free things to do in Charleston with kids.

 

 

Take A Tour

As you’d expect, a city this rich in history must have hundreds of people who want to tell you about it in ways that make its story their own. Here are a few of our favorite tours we took in Charleston.

 

Fort Sumter Tours

The first shots of the Civil War started in Charleston Harbor, and Fort Sumter was the location where the four federal soldiers stood their ground for two days until they ran out of bullets.

We took a half-hour ferry from Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum to arrive on the sandbar where Fort Sumter National Monument stands. Fort Sumter Tours is the only authorized company to do guided tours at the fort. For younger kids, the ferry ride is fun, and the tour is very short, with time left for visitors to explore inside and out. Our guides stayed behind to answer questions after a 15-minute courtyard presentation, and we wandered into the fort museum to learn more on our own through displays and dioramas.

When the Civil War started, Fort Sumter wasn’t even complete. It had taken 15 years to build the foundation of Fort Sumter and 30 years to almost finish it. They used 4.5 million bricks made by enslaved people. Most Federal forts in 1861, like Sumter, were in various stages of construction and had caretakers with a skeletal crew of soldiers. The South Carolina militia overtook the fort, and locals picked up the federal soldiers to ferry them to waiting federal ships.

 

 

Once three stories tall, the surviving first story was preserved by the rubble of the upper floors. Of course, our teens had heard about Fort Sumter in American History class, but this short tour in the place where it happened will help them remember this part of history forever.

 

Pro-Tip: There are two locations to board the 30-minute ferry.

• Liberty Square (Downtown): Ferries depart at 9:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 2:45 p.m. from 340 Concord Street, Charleston, with an onsite visitor center and museum exhibits. 
• Patriots Point (Mount Pleasant): Ferries depart at 10:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. from 40 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant, adjacent to the historic USS Yorktown aircraft carrier.
• Tickets cost $43.00 for adults, $39.00 for seniors and active military, $26.00 for children (ages 4–11), and are free for children 3 and under.

 

Patriot’s Point Naval & Maritime Museum

After the ferry dropped us off, we boarded the WWII aircraft carrier, USS Yorktown, right next door to explore all the fighter planes parked inside and on the landing strip above. The boys even got to get into one of the planes.

 

 

We walked through the command center and galley. Because we had taken the later of the two daily tours, the ship was only open for about an hour when we boarded. Our 45-minute stop was perfect to get a sense of the might behind our wonderful country and the efforts that keep it free.

For those with more time, the entire 100,000 sq ft complex also includes the destroyer USS Laffey, the Cold War Memorial, the Vietnam Experience, the Medal of Honor Museum, and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

 

 

Swashbuckle Through A Pirate Tour

Who doesn’t love a good pirate story?  If you and your family are looking for an interactive, swashbuckling good time that beats the pants off of Fortnite, Charleston Pirate Tours is not to be missed.

Grab your eye patch and peg leg and head into the heart of the city with one of the company’s amazing tour guides. With their stomps and snorts, they turn a typical history lesson into something fun and captivating for even the most disinterested kid.  Go on a treasure hunt by day or a scary ghost and pirate walk by night.  And for those who are totally fine with just a history tour, minus the costumes and theatrics, they’ve got regular history tours too.  But seriously.  Where’s the fun in that?

 

Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon

Also downtown is the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, which seemed like a slam dunk for the boy teens, but I’m going to say it really depends on who your family draws as the tour guide. The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon operated variously over time as a customs house, one of the sites where Patriots signed the Declaration of Independence, and a prison/dungeon.

 

 

Our group of about 30 visitors crammed into the Exchange’s basement. We sat on wooden benches set on stone slabs and leaned against brick walls and arches. The most interesting stories are about the British using the Exchange as a dungeon and prison during the Revolution. Tucked into a corner, a display re-enacted how the revolutionaries stored tons of clandestine ammunition.

 

 

Spooky Ghost Tour

Nothing says stay awake like a stroll through a cemetery. A city as old as Charleston, with its share of sordid dealings, has many hauntings to discover if you dare. Older kids will love trying to catch the spirits with their phones to post on Snapchat. The guides of these ghost tours aren’t actors, but residents who love the stories, and each is drawn to their favorites, so no two tours are alike.

 

Bulldog Tours Food Tour

Anytime we visit a new destination, we take a food tour. It’s the one guarantee we have that our teens will hop out of bed to participate. This was the second food tour we took with Bulldog Tours, and we loved it again.  Bulldog Tours offers several food tours, and even the ones a visitor has previously taken can be different the next time, as guides and restaurants change. For a quick sample, I’ve included a bit about each of our stops on this one to determine if it would be beneficial to add to your family trip.

 

Stop 1 She-Crab Soup And Charleston History

We met at 82 Queen Restaurant, which is easy to remember because it’s also the address of the restaurant that was founded in 1882. Our guide, Fran, started off by telling us a bit about the history of Charleston, and the boys dug into their She-Crab soup as she did.

King Charles II claimed Charleston (Originally named Charles Town) sight unseen. He did this because he could, and also took ownership of all the land from Orlando to Virginia and across to the West Coast. He gave parcels of this land to his friends to keep them loyal. One thing that made Charles Town attractive to settlers was its religious tolerance. Houses of worship sprang up for Jews, French Huguenots, Baptists, Episcopalians, and others. Today, there are over 400 steeples and ornate Houses of God poking into the sky, earning the city its nickname, Holy City.

We also tried grits over Fried Green Tomatoes and learned it was the Sephardic Jews who brought tomatoes to the United States. The boys did not eat their tomatoes but enjoyed their grits.

 

 

Stop 2 Barbecue and Money

Of course, we couldn’t do a food tour in the South without trying barbecue. There are two Poogan’s locations in downtown Charleston, and we went to Poogan’s Smokehouse, where we tried smoked barbecue chicken that melted on our tongues. It came with a side of collard greens, a very popular southern dish

 

Stop 3 Short Ribs and Short Flights

Our third stop was at a restaurant and winery called Well Hung Vineyard. Of course, I had to take a picture of the boys walking in. Originally started by three women, who’ve since sold it, we enjoyed short ribs over mashed potatoes with smashed squash and fried onions. This was the boys’ favorite stop, and we adults loved it too. Howard and I ordered a flight of red wines to share.

Enjoy the Instagram post I made about our tour:

 

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A post shared by L.A. Family Travel🛫Rina Nehdar (@lafamilytravel)

 

Stop 4 Spice It Up!

Our last stop was at the Spice and Tea Exchange, where Blake, the head spice guy and recipe suggestor for the high-quality ingredients sold there, gave a presentation. I use the Gullah-Geechee Spice Blend on many of my meat dishes now!

 

Walk Through Historic Charleston City Market

If you enjoy farmers’ markets and/or flea markets and/or meandering aimlessly for hours in Target while your partner watches the kids, then the Historic Charleston City Market is a must-stop for you.  Even our teens loved wandering through the four-block-long brick-housed market full of local artisans and vendors selling their homemade wares, with everything from tea towels to sweetgrass baskets, sunhats to strawberry jam. We bought boiled peanuts from the iconic Sam the Man.

 

 

It reminded me of the suqs and local markets I’ve seen in Israel, Europe, and Africa. Unlike typical souvenir shops (which are great for magnets and t-shirts), the market is the kind of place where you can find artisanal knick-knacks and one-of-a-kind gifts.  

It took us less than an hour or so to peruse the whole four buildings, but that was filled with cajoling by the teens as we had just finished the food tour, and they were anxious to get back to the beach where we were staying. 

 

  

 

 

Best Beaches Near Charleston SC for Families

As a city on the water with several islands and peninsulas surrounding it, Charleston has beautiful beaches with warm water. This was a surprise for us West Coasters, where our beaches are world-famous, but the water is cold!  Most Charleston beaches are a relatively short drive out of the city center, with Sullivan’s Beach, Folly Beach, and Isle of Palms about twenty minutes away. Each of these cities has a small feel.

 

Sullivan’s Island

Sullivan Island is a barrier island that lies between a mainland stretch of South Carolina and the Atlantic Ocean.  It was once home to Edgar Allen Poe, and little nods to Poe’s past presence there can be found around town, which as a writer, I loved.  After the beach, we had lunch at the very family-friendly Poe’s Tavern to keep the fun going. Another restaurant we love is  The Obstinate Daughter, serving eclectic Lowcountry fare in a relaxed beachy setting. The Eggs in Purgatory were pure perfection. 

The beach itself is beautiful, and we had tons of fun walking to the nearby lighthouse, hunting for shells, and just generally people watching.  Be mindful, though, that there are few beach amenities, like umbrellas or cabanas, and no public bathrooms that we saw, so make sure to prepare accordingly. 

 

DON’T MISS 5 Best Charleston Beaches For Epic Family Vacations

 

Folly Beach

As soon as visitors drive over Lee Westbury Bridge (aka the Folly River Bridge), into Folly Beach, the vibe drops about 20 notches. Surfboards, coffee shops, and fried seafood restaurants line both sides of Center Street, the main road into and through town, taking families straight to the beach.

The first time we visited, we stopped by James Island first and didn’t really get a sense of it as a community, since the beach we enjoyed connected to a neighborhood with gorgeous multi-layered homes, but Folly Beach pulled us in right away with its lively, casual atmosphere. The thing is, it felt familiar, like Venice Beach in the 80s and 90s.

We spread towels out amongst the many others who came to enjoy the warm sun and refreshing breeze. But we mostly stayed in the ocean, frolicking in the perfectly heated ocean. The whole scene won us over, and it felt like we were discovering a great secret.

Later, we strolled along the Edwin S. Taylor Folly Beach Fishing Pier, stretching over 1000 feet into the ocean and culminating in a spacious diamond; it is considered one of the top fishing piers on the East Coast. Restored to a new kind of glory in 2022, this modern pier spans 25 ft wide and has plenty of comfortable seating on which to watch your kids pull up mackerel or enjoy a cold cocktail from onsite Pier 101 Restaurant & Bar.

 

 

Fishing tournaments and midnight dances regularly pack the structure.

 

 

The boys got to hang out with a serene view and watch the surfers below.

 

 

Isle of Palms

Isle of Palms feels like an up and coming beach community but it’s actually a 25,000 year old barrier island. Once a hunting island for the Sewee tribe, the area transformed into a resort community in the 1890s known as Long Island. The 50-room Seashore Hotel opened in 1906, yet the big box hotel chains are still not present in Isla of Palms.

Today, beaches with soft white sand allow visitors to spread out and enjoy watching their kids play in tide pools created by surging and waning tides. Ocean Blvd. runs through Isle of Palms with shops, restaurants, bars, and ice cream stands on both sides. The town feels compact and walkable with paid parking lining both sides. Municipal Lot B is at the end of Ocean Blvd., an easy walk to Front Street Beach right across the street. The county park, with seasonal concerts, is adjacent to the beach.

 

Our newly restored, beachy two bedroom two bath condo is just past the dirt lot and across the street from the beach. It’s at the end of Ocean Blvd. with the county park on it’s other side. Check it out. It’s the perfect rental for up to 6 people.

 

 

Shop On King St.

There are over 200 shops, boutiques, restaurants, and galleries on King St. which stretches two-miles from Broad St. to Line St. Our teens love to shop high-end vintage shops and they found a great sports one called The Vault Retro Sports Apparel. I found cute sandles and a top at Quiet Storm Surf Shop. Here are some recommendations for families who want to stroll along King St. in downtown Charleston.

 

 

DON’T MISS! Folly Beach Hotels: Oceanfront Options

  

Check Out The Aquarium

The South Carolina Aquarium is easily one of the coolest aquariums we’ve ever been to.  And with interactive and hands-on exhibits, our teens appreciated it alongside kids half their ages.

Billed as a true South Carolina experience, the aquarium is as much about the larger ecosystems that make up the state as it is about fish and reptiles.  Visit the bald eagle in the rocky gorge of the mountain habitat, or (if you’re anything like me) get a little creeped out by the alligators and rattlesnakes in the swampy wetlands of the coastal plains exhibit.  If you’re seeking exhibits that won’t give you nightmares, maybe try your hand at feeding the stingrays or check out the aquarium “backyard” to learn all about the local flowers, birds, and insects. 

The Great Ocean Tank, a full two stories tall and holding 385,000 gallons, is one of the deepest aquarium tanks in North America, where a wide range of marine species enjoy the gleeful faces lining its glass, including sharks and sea turtles. The boys stood alongside, the multitude of marine animals, taking in a SCUBA diver cleaning the tank.   

 

 

Visit A Plantation

For many, plantations bring to mind a complicated history and maybe the memory of Gone With The Wind. For those who want to learn what life was like during that darker part of our country’s past, a plantation tour is a great way to do it.  There are six plantations within driving distance to Charleston and we chose to visit Boone Plantation, as it was the closest to where we were staying.

We were so glad we did. The driveway onto the property took us through the magnificent Avenue of Oaks, a canopy of 88 oak trees. Our first stop was the visitor’s center, where we learned about the various tour options. Boone Plantation is divided into six sections with tours for each:

• The Plantation House: A guided tour of the first floor of the 1936 colonial revival mansion.
• Black History in America Exhibit: A self-guided and interpreted tour of nine original brick slave cabins that detail the history of African Americans in the U.S..
• Gullah Culture Presentation: Live, interactive presentations showcasing the history, stories, and songs of the Gullah people.
• Coach Tour: A covered wagon/tram ride that takes visitors across the expansive property (weather permitting).
• Gardens & Nature: Self-guided tours of the 18th-century style antique rose gardens and designated nature viewing/birding paths.
• Butterfly Pavilion: A seasonal exhibit featuring hundreds of free-flying, native butterfly species

 

We did the Plantation House tour and learned that the plantation used to encompass 4000 acres and once held 1000 slaves. Most of it was sold off by the various owners and today it is almost 740 acres.

We also did the self-guided Ensalved Cabin walk and learned the sad fate of many people held there. Afterward, we sat in on the Gullah Culture Presentation, an enslaved history presentation by a local teacher, and learned that the plantation was along the route Harriet Tubman took to free some slaves on Boone Plantation.

 

 

Discovering and appreciating an area is an evolution of experiences. Like the rich history of Charleston, SC we look forward to adding to this list as we continue to spend time in our new favorite city and share the best things to do in Charleston SC with kids.

 

Getting There

 

 

Only Breeze Airlines has seasonal direct flights from Los Angeles to Charleston that take about 5 hours, but flights with connections generally take about 6-7 hours.

An excellent discount site for rental cars and flights is Booking! We literally save hundreds using it.

 

Where To Stay In Charleston

Families who want a modern and bright condo can stay in our home in the Isle of Palms. Everything a family needs is provided for an unforgettable beach stay. Book here!

Those who prefer a resort beach experience can choose the Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina. They have bright and airy rooms, some facing the harbor, an onsite restaurant and free bike rentals to explore the marine area. It’s a quick pedal to Patriots Point from there.

Charleston has no shortage of charming places to stay when you visit. Indigo Inn in the city center is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for that classic, old-world Charleston feel.  Their beautiful courtyard is perfect for kicking back and relaxing with a cup of coffee after a busy afternoon of sightseeing.

If you’re seeking something a little more contemporary and modern, The Restoration is a beautiful hotel right in the heart of the gallery and shopping district.  In addition to their well-appointed hotel, they also offer full residences if you want a more private experience, or are traveling with a group.

We also love the Charleston Place, which is a classic resort located just across the street from the Charleston City Market.  They provide complimentary wine and cheese in the evenings, a beautiful rooftop pool, and an expansive gym.  If you’re wanting a luxurious and unforgettable stay, look no further than this lovely spot.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Charleston With Kids

Is Charleston SC good for families with kids?
Yes — Charleston is one of the most family-friendly cities in the South. It offers a mix of beaches, hands-on history, outdoor activities, and exceptional food, making it a great destination for kids of all ages, including teens.

What is the best area to stay in Charleston with kids?
Families often stay downtown near the historic district for walkability, or at the beach communities of Isle of Palms or Sullivan’s Island for easier beach access. [Link to your Where to Stay section]

What beaches are near Charleston SC?
The three best beaches near Charleston for families are Sullivan’s Island (calm, less crowded), Isle of Palms (amenities and vacation rentals), and Folly Beach (the most laid-back, surfer vibe).

How many days do you need in Charleston with kids?
Most families find 3–4 days ideal for Charleston — enough time for the historic district, at least one full beach day, and a tour or two without feeling rushed.

Is Charleston SC safe for tourists?
Downtown Charleston and the beach communities are very tourist-friendly and considered safe for families.

What age is Charleston good for?
Charleston works for all ages. Younger kids love the carriage rides, aquarium, and beach. Teens especially enjoy the pirate tours, ghost tours, Patriots Point, and the food scene.

 

 

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