From beautiful historic attractions and outdoor spaces to laid-back beach towns and island adventures, coastal Charleston is packed with unforgettable experiences that capture the essence of the Lowcountry.
Whether your dream vacation includes strolling the picturesque streets of downtown, savoring Southern specialties on a food tour, or teeing off on nearby world-class golf courses, the city—and its surrounding communities—offers year-round fun for every kind of traveler.
Here are five of our top must-do activities that are sure to make your next Charleston getaway one to remember.
1: See the Sights Downtown
With so much to see and do, it’s easy to spend a full day or more exploring the sights and sounds (and stunning architecture) of downtown Charleston.
Start with a visit to the South Carolina Aquarium, located on the waterfront at Charleston Harbor. In addition to fun exhibits, including touch tanks and habitats ranging from mountain and Piedmont to coastal waters and deep ocean, you’ll also have picture-perfect views of the impressive Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and the USS Yorktown across the river at Patriots Point.
From there, you can walk to Liberty Square, downtown parks and restaurants, several museums, and other cultural attractions. Or you can hop on the free DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle) trolleys to get to other parts of the city.
Better yet, sit back and relax and let the experts from Sweetgrass Tours and Charters guide you with a private driving tour of the city’s most charming neighborhoods and famous landmarks, personalized to your interests.
2: Shop Historic Markets and High-End Boutiques
Whether you want to spend some money or just do a little window shopping, Charleston has you covered. Stroll the famous four-block Charleston City Market (one of the oldest public markets in the country) for local art, sweetgrass baskets, handcrafted goods, and more. And don’t forget to make time for lunch in the dining hall while you’re there.
Or head over to the high-end shops on and around King and Meeting Streets to find luxury brands, such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton, alongside antique shops, jewelry stores, and local boutiques. The Shops at Charleston Place, in particular, is a top spot for upscale stores and world-wide fashion brands, set within the lobby of the sophisticated Charleston Place Hotel.
3: Take a Taste of Charleston – Food Tours
Dining in Charleston is truly a delight, and one of the best ways to sample the authentic flavors of this Southern city is with a food tour. Two of our favorites are the French Quarter Tour (from Secret Food Tours) that takes you through the picturesque streets of that historic neighborhood for a sampling of delicious Lowcountry cuisine and other treats (BBQ, shrimp and grits, handmade ice cream, and more) and the unique 3.5-hour Farm-to-Table Experience from Charleston Culinary Tours, where you’ll shop for local, seasonal ingredients with the chef and then take a guided walking tour of the area while your meal is being prepared.
4: Get Close to Nature on the Nearby Barrier Islands
Outside of the city, take a drive to lovely Seabrook Island, with a quick stop on Johns Island to see the magnificent Angel Oak tree. At 65 feet high, with a 25.5-foot circumference, it’s a Lowcountry treasure—the largest live oak tree east of the Mississippi, estimated to be between 300–500 years old.
Just outside of Seabrook’s entrance, pay a visit to Bohicket Marina. There, you can take a relaxing stroll along the dock followed by a guided kayak outing on Bohicket Creek where you’ll paddle through the waterway’s hidden channels or out and around the Deveaux Bank bird sanctuary.
Seabrook itself is home to some of the most unspoiled natural beauty in all of the Lowcountry region. With acres of salt marshes and serene waterways teeming with life, it’s not uncommon to spot a variety of saltwater and freshwater fish, seabirds, and bottlenose dolphins whenever you’re out on the water there.
5: Play a Round of Golf at Kiawah Island or Wild Dunes
Golf lovers vacationing in coastal Charleston will definitely want to check out the Kiawah Island Golf Resort (20 miles south of the city) and tee off on one (or more) of their five world-renowned championship courses, designed by the likes of Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Gary Player, and Jack Nicklaus.
North of Charleston and named one of the “Best Golf Resorts” in the state by Golf Digest, Wild Dunes Resort is home to 36 holes across two signature courses designed by Tom Fazio—the 18-hole, par-72 Links Course (one of Fazio’s favorites) and the 18-hole, par-70 Harbor Course.
Your Equity Estates Homes Near Charleston:
Our Coastal Carolina residence, located on Seabrook Island (less than an hour’s drive from downtown Charleston) is a spacious, four-bedroom beach house with magnificent views of the ocean from the main living area, master suite, and large covered porch. With a fully-stocked chef’s kitchen, multiple outdoor living spaces, a private heated pool, and an elevator, it’s the ideal home for a family getaway or a fun-in-the-sun vacation with friends.
Our Isle of Palms home is a custom-built, six-bedroom beach house, just 30-minutes from the food and fun of downtown Charleston. With ample outdoor living space—including multiple porches, a grill and sunbathing area, and a private pool—as well as its prime location just steps away from the sand, it’s a great home-away-from home for anyone looking for laid-back beach time to balance out their Charleston-area adventures.
If you would like more information about Equity Estates, please call 404.445.8501 or click to schedule a call.
