Things to do in Charleston

Things to do in Charleston

327 ranked activities4 in the 90+ Club

Charleston's best experiences are small: house museum tours with an architectural historian, Gullah heritage walks, harbour sails at sunset and Lowcountry food crawls through the market district. Plantation day trips vary enormously in how honestly they handle the history, and our ranking factors that in directly.

Quick answer

What are the best things to do in Charleston?

Outty ranks 327 bookable experiences in Charleston, United States. The highest scoring is Charleston historical walking tour with a Professor of History at The Citadel at 93 out of 100, followed by Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour, Hidden Alleyways and Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour, Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour. Prices start at $7 per person and 4 experiences score 90 or above, putting them in the Outty 90+ Club. March to May and September to November, the two mild shoulder windows.

Ranked experiences
327
In the 90+ Club
4
From
$7 per person
Bookable today
120

Top attractions in Charleston

Landmark by landmark: every ranked tour, ticket and guided visit in one place.

Top tour operators in Charleston

The companies behind the experiences, ranked by how much of Charleston they cover.

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Most Popular in Charleston

The experiences travelers book most right now.

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Most Highly Reviewed in Charleston

Highest traveler sentiment with enough reviews to trust it.

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Last Minute in Charleston

Confirmed availability today or tomorrow.

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Family Friendly in Charleston

Works with children in tow, by age policy and pacing.

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Food & Drink in Charleston

Food tours, tastings, markets and dinner experiences.

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Culture & History in Charleston

Museums, landmarks and stories behind the streets.

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Outdoors in Charleston

Fresh air, water, trails and skyline views.

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Nightlife in Charleston

After dark: bars, shows and evening cruises.

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People also ask

What are the top 15 things to do in Charleston?

Our ranked guide lists the 15 best experiences in Charleston with prices, time needed and quick picks for families, rainy days and last-minute plans. Read the answer

Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon or Rainbow Row: which should I do first?

A side-by-side of price, time needed, ranking and flexibility, with a clear verdict. Read the answer

Rainbow Row or The Battery and White Point Garden: which should I do first?

A side-by-side of price, time needed, ranking and flexibility, with a clear verdict. Read the answer

Charleston City Market or Rainbow Row: which should I do first?

A side-by-side of price, time needed, ranking and flexibility, with a clear verdict. Read the answer

Fort Sumter National Monument or Rainbow Row: which should I do first?

A side-by-side of price, time needed, ranking and flexibility, with a clear verdict. Read the answer

What is the best Rainbow Row tour?

We compare all 57 ranked ways to see Rainbow Row, best first. Read the answer

What is the best Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon tour?

We compare all 57 ranked ways to see Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, best first. Read the answer

Planning questions about Charleston

What are the best things to do in Charleston?
Charleston historical walking tour with a Professor of History at The Citadel is the highest ranked experience in Charleston, scoring 93 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking from 1,518 traveler reviews. Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour, Hidden Alleyways and Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour, Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour, Charleston Haunted Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour round out the top five. Outty ranks 327 bookable experiences in Charleston, United States, and 4 of them score 90 or above.
Which attractions should I visit in Charleston?
The landmarks with the deepest choice of tours and tickets are Rainbow Row, Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, The Battery and White Point Garden, Charleston City Market, Fort Sumter National Monument, St. Philips Church. Each has its own page on Outty listing every ranked way to visit, from timed entry tickets to guided and combination tours.
How much do activities in Charleston cost?
The median price across everything we rank in Charleston is $41 per person, and the cheapest starting price is $7 on Charleston's Haunted Ghost Tour - Solo Smart Phone Guided Tour. Guided, small-group and skip-the-line versions sit above the median, and peak weekends price higher than midweek mornings.
Can I book something in Charleston for today?
Yes. 120 of the top 120 experiences we rank in Charleston currently show same-day availability. Same-day slots are limited, so book early in the day where you can.
Is Charleston good for families?
Yes. 15 of the experiences we rank in Charleston are family friendly, covering short, low-cost activities as well as full-day outings. Check the minimum age on each experience page before booking.
How many days do you need in Charleston?
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting: one anchor experience each morning, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
When is the best time to visit Charleston?
March to May and September to November, the two mild shoulder windows. Prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
Can I cancel a booking in Charleston?
120 of the 120 experiences we rank in Charleston offer free cancellation, usually up to 24 hours before the start time. The exact window is shown on each experience page before you book.
How does the Outty Ranking work?
Every experience in Charleston gets a single 0 to 100 score built from traveler sentiment, the depth of review evidence, recent booking momentum, price fairness against comparable options in the same city, operator standing and cancellation flexibility. Scores are benchmarked within Charleston so a strong local option is not buried by global volume, and anything at 90 or above joins the Outty 90+ Club.