Top 10 Free Things To Do In Charleston

10 Free Things to Do in Charleston, SC – Explore History, Beauty & Charm

Charleston, South Carolina is a city rich in history, Southern charm, and stunning natural beauty. But did you know you can explore much of what this coastal gem has to offer without spending a dime? From historic landmarks to scenic strolls, here are ten unforgettable free things to do in Charleston—each one steeped in stories, architecture, and culture that will make you fall in love with the Holy City.

1. Stroll Through Waterfront Park

A visit to Charleston isn’t complete without experiencing the serenity of Waterfront Park. Opened in 1990, this award-winning public park stretches along the Cooper River and offers a peaceful oasis amid the city bustle. You’ll find shaded pathways lined with palmetto trees, beautifully manicured gardens, and the iconic Pineapple Fountain—a beloved symbol of Southern hospitality.

The Pineapple Fountain was designed by Stuart Dawson of Sasaki Associates and quickly became the park’s most recognizable feature when it debuted with the park’s grand opening. Pineapples have long symbolized hospitality in Charleston and throughout the South, stemming from colonial times when returning sea captains would place a pineapple on their gatepost as a sign of safe return and welcome. The fountain’s elegant, tiered structure invites visitors to sit along its circular base or even dip their toes on a hot summer day—making it a favorite for kids and photographers alike.

Historically, the area was once home to wharves and shipping terminals in the 18th and 19th centuries. After being damaged by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, the city revitalized the area into a communal space for locals and visitors alike. Today, the park is a favorite spot for watching dolphins, enjoying the sea breeze on the iconic swing benches, and taking in panoramic views of Charleston Harbor.

2. Explore the Battery and White Point Garden

White Point Garden, located at the southernmost tip of the Charleston peninsula, offers more than just postcard-worthy views. This waterfront park is shaded by centuries-old oak trees and surrounded by elegant antebellum mansions. It also serves as a fascinating outdoor museum, dotted with Civil War-era cannons, monuments, and historical plaques.

During the Civil War, the Battery served as a defensive seawall against Union forces. It got its name from the artillery batteries stationed here in the early 1800s. As you walk the promenade, take in views of Fort Sumter—where the first shots of the Civil War were fired—and the convergence of the Ashley and Cooper Rivers. It's a vivid blend of natural beauty and somber history.

White Point Garden is also the site of several haunting memorials, including a monument honoring the crew of the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley—the first combat submarine to sink a warship. Near the eastern edge of the park, you’ll find a statue of William Moultrie, the Revolutionary War hero who defended Sullivan’s Island.

In the late 19th century, the city used fill dirt from the construction of the jetties to expand the park’s footprint, transforming the windswept point into a cultivated garden. The oak trees, many of which are now more than 100 years old, provide welcome shade and lend the park a cathedral-like canopy. It's a tranquil place to reflect on Charleston’s many chapters of history.

That same natural beauty makes White Point Garden an unforgettable location for special occasions. For those seeking a romantic setting for a small ceremony, the park offers a charming alternative—its iconic white-columned gazebo. Nestled beneath the oaks and surrounded by blooming gardens, the gazebo has become a beloved venue for intimate weddings, offering a picturesque backdrop and sweeping harbor views.

As of 2025, couples can reserve the gazebo through the City of Charleston by securing a permit for $200, which covers a two-hour time slot. While the city does not allow amplified sound or formal seating arrangements, the serene atmosphere and historic ambiance make it a perfect choice for couples looking to say “I do” in one of Charleston’s most timeless public spaces.

3. Visit the Charleston City Market

One of the oldest public markets in the United States, the Charleston City Market has been a hub of activity since the 1790s. Though buying souvenirs isn’t free, browsing the stalls is. The market stretches for four city blocks and is filled with local artisans, sweetgrass basket weavers, and vendors showcasing the region’s rich Gullah culture.

Historically, the market was gifted to the city by Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, one of the signers of the U.S. Constitution. It was intended to remain a public market in perpetuity. The open-air sheds were constructed in the 1800s, and the market has remained an enduring symbol of Charleston’s communal and commercial spirit ever since.

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4. Walk Across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge

Towering above the Cooper River, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge is more than just a feat of engineering—it’s an experience. Opened in 2005, this cable-stayed bridge connects downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant and includes a 2.7-mile pedestrian and bike path known as Wonders' Way.

The bridge replaced two aging structures and quickly became an icon of the city. As you walk or bike across it, you’ll be treated to sweeping views of the city skyline, the Charleston Harbor, and even the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point. Sunsets from the bridge are especially magical, casting golden hues over the Lowcountry landscape.

5. Unwind at Hampton Park

Located in the northern part of the Charleston peninsula, Hampton Park is one of the city’s largest and most beautiful green spaces. With its wide walking paths, duck pond, floral displays, and shaded benches, it's a favorite spot for locals seeking a quiet escape from the downtown bustle.

Hampton Park has a fascinating and layered history. First, the site was home to the Washington Race Course in the 19th century, a popular venue for horse racing among Charleston’s elite. During the Civil War, the track was converted into a prison camp for Union soldiers. After the war, it became the site of one of the first Memorial Day celebrations in 1865, organized by formerly enslaved people who honored fallen soldiers with a parade and flowers.

The park later became part of the grounds for the South Carolina Inter-State and West Indian Exposition in 1901–1902, a world’s fair that brought international attention to Charleston. Today, Hampton Park is a serene reminder of the city’s rich and complex past.

6. Discover Rainbow Row

Located at 79 to 107 East Bay Street in downtown Charleston, Rainbow Row is arguably Charleston’s most photographed street—and for good reason. This series of 13 pastel-colored Georgian houses along East Bay Street dates back to the mid-1700s. After falling into disrepair following the Civil War, the homes were restored and repainted in the 1930s by preservationist Dorothy Porcher Legge.

Why the colors? While no one knows for sure, theories abound—from helping drunken sailors find their way home to reducing the heat inside by reflecting sunlight. Today, Rainbow Row is a symbol of Charleston’s commitment to historic preservation and a joyful splash of color on a street steeped in history.

7. Walk Historic Chalmers Street

Chalmers Street is one of the oldest and most iconic cobblestone streets in Charleston, offering a direct connection to the city’s colonial past. Located in the French Quarter, the street is named after Reverend Thomas Chalmers and is lined with preserved buildings that date back to the 18th and early 19th centuries. Walking along its uneven stones, you’ll feel transported back in time.

The street is home to the Old Slave Mart Museum, a sobering yet vital piece of American history housed in a building that once functioned as part of a slave auction complex. But Chalmers Street is also full of charm—with pastel facades, historic inns, and iron balconies that showcase Charleston’s distinctive architectural style.

According to local folklore, Chalmers Street played a curious role in the lives of expectant mothers. An old wives’ tale advised that women who were overdue in their pregnancy should ride down the bumpy cobblestones in a horse-drawn carriage. The jostling ride was said to help induce labor—a uniquely Charlestonian take on jump-starting delivery. Whether fact or fiction, the story adds to the rich tapestry of oral traditions passed down through generations in the Holy City.

Today, strolling Chalmers Street offers not only a step through history but also a chance to admire one of the most atmospheric stretches of Charleston’s preserved urban landscape.

8. Enjoy the Beaches – Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, Folly Beach & Kiawah Island

Charleston’s beaches are legendary, and each has a unique character and story to tell.

Sullivan’s Island is steeped in Revolutionary War history. It was here at Fort Moultrie in 1776 that American forces achieved a pivotal victory over the British Navy using palmetto logs to absorb cannon fire—a battle that ultimately inspired South Carolina’s state flag. Today, Sullivan’s Island offers peaceful, uncrowded shores perfect for walking, reading, or spotting dolphins in the surf. But Sullivan’s Island also carries a deeper and more complex history. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the island served as a quarantine station for enslaved Africans arriving through the port of Charleston. Before being sold at auction, many were held at 'Lazaretto' facilities where they were inspected and often subjected to harsh conditions.

Today, a lesser-known but profoundly important site on the island is the African American burial ground known as the 'Sullivan’s Island Slave Cemetery' or sometimes referred to as the 'African Passages Site.' Although unmarked for many years, the land holds the remains of countless enslaved people who died before ever reaching the mainland. In 2008, a commemorative bench was placed by Toni Morrison as part of the 'Bench by the Road' project—a tribute to the millions who passed through this forgotten gateway of the transatlantic slave trade.

The site remains a solemn space for reflection and remembrance, reminding visitors of the island’s painful role in American history. In fact, during the peak of the transatlantic slave trade, shipowners were subject to fines if enslaved individuals died before reaching Sullivan’s Island. The penalty—reportedly around £10 per head—created a cruel incentive for captains to throw gravely ill captives overboard before docking. Historical records and oral histories reveal that some of those dumped into the sea were still alive, a tragic example of the dehumanization inherent in the slave trade. These atrocities make the memorial site on Sullivan’s Island not just a place of remembrance, but a stark reminder of the brutal systems that once operated just offshore.

Isle of Palms, just north of Sullivan’s Island, is known for its wide sandy beaches and family-friendly atmosphere. It was originally developed as a summer retreat in the late 19th century and gained popularity during the streetcar era of the early 1900s. The island also played a role during World War II, serving as a lookout point for German U-boats. But the island also holds a lesser-known and haunting military anecdote.

During the Revolutionary War, British soldiers attempted to cross the narrow inlet between Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island on foot in an effort to flank Patriot forces stationed at Fort Moultrie. The inlet appeared deceptively shallow at low tide, but the soldiers found themselves trapped by the strong currents and deep channels. Tragically, many were reportedly attacked by sharks and drowned before ever reaching shore. This failed assault added to the strength of the American defense at the Battle of Sullivan’s Island and has since become part of the island’s dramatic wartime lore. But the island’s colorful past doesn’t stop there. During the Prohibition era and into the early 20th century, Isle of Palms was rumored to be a quiet hideaway for criminals and bootleggers looking to lay low—and even the mob took notice. One of the most persistent legends involves notorious mobster Al Capone, who allegedly spent time on the island while evading federal authorities. Though official documentation is scarce, longtime residents have shared stories of Capone hiding out in a secluded beach house under an alias, enjoying the serenity of the coast while keeping a watchful eye on Chicago from afar. The island’s then-remote location and minimal law enforcement presence made it an ideal retreat for anyone seeking to disappear for a while.

Whether myth or truth, these tales contribute to Isle of Palms’ layered history—an idyllic beach town with shadows of secretive pasts and wartime heroics woven into its quiet dunes.

Folly Beach, affectionately known as the “Edge of America,” is laid-back and lively. In the 1930s, the area became a beach getaway destination thanks to its boardwalk and amusement pier. Folly retains that carefree spirit today, with surfers riding waves near the pier and live music drifting from beach bars. It’s also a great spot to glimpse the Morris Island Lighthouse in the distance, a historic beacon first lit in 1876.

Kiawah Island, while primarily known for luxury resorts and golf, has a public beach access at Beachwalker Park. But this peaceful barrier island also has a long and complex history that reaches far beyond its modern facade.

Before development, Kiawah was home to the Kiawah Native American tribe, who were among the earliest known inhabitants of the region. They played a key role in early encounters with English colonists and helped shape the Lowcountry’s early history.

By the 18th century, the island had been transformed into plantation land, first used for growing indigo and later cotton. Enslaved Africans were brought to Kiawah under brutal conditions to work the land, and their forced labor became the backbone of the island’s early agricultural economy. The legacy of that era remains largely obscured beneath the modern landscape of golf courses and gated estates.

After the Civil War and into the 20th century, the island remained mostly undeveloped until the 1970s, when it was sold to private developers. Though the development emphasized conservation-minded planning, it also ushered in an era of exclusivity. Kiawah’s transformation from plantation land to private resort has been criticized for limiting public access and whitewashing aspects of its past.

Today, the only public beach access is through Beachwalker Park, maintained by Charleston County. While the island promotes eco-tourism and environmental stewardship, its layered history—marked by indigenous displacement, slavery, and exclusivity—serves as a reminder that even the most pristine coastal retreats are shaped by a complicated past.

All four beaches offer free access to natural wonders, from sea turtles and shorebirds to warm Atlantic breezes and unforgettable sunsets. Whether you prefer history, quiet reflection, or a festive beach day, Charleston’s coastline delivers.

9. Stroll Second Sunday on King Street

One of Charleston’s most beloved monthly events, Second Sunday on King Street, transforms one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares into a lively, pedestrian-only promenade. Held on the second Sunday of each month, this free event shuts down vehicular traffic on a stretch of King Street between Queen and Calhoun Streets, creating a vibrant atmosphere of shopping, live music, street performers, and local food vendors.

Families, locals, and visitors alike meander down the street, popping into boutique shops, chatting with artists, or relaxing at sidewalk cafés. The event showcases Charleston’s creative spirit and tight-knit community while offering plenty of entertainment for all ages.

It’s also an ideal time to soak up the charm of downtown without the stress of navigating traffic. With free entry, beautiful weather (most of the year), and something new to see every month, Second Sunday on King is a quintessential Charleston experience—and one of the most fun ways to explore the city for free.

10. Explore Historic Churches and Cemeteries

Charleston is often called the "Holy City" for its abundance of churches, many of which date back to the 1700s. Their steeples rise high above the skyline, offering a visual reminder of the city's deep religious roots. For history lovers and architecture buffs alike, these sacred sites offer more than just beauty—they tell the story of Charleston’s soul.

Start with St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, located at the corner of Broad and Meeting Streets. Built in 1761, it is the oldest surviving religious structure in Charleston and a National Historic Landmark. George Washington worshipped here during his Southern tour in 1791, and its towering white steeple remains one of the city's most iconic features.

Just a few blocks away is the Circular Congregational Church, founded in 1681 and home to one of the oldest English-speaking congregations in the South. Its round Romanesque-style sanctuary, rebuilt in 1892, sits beside a hauntingly beautiful graveyard with tombstones dating back to the 1600s. The churchyard is one of the most atmospheric in Charleston, offering an evocative window into colonial life.

Another must-see is Mother Emanuel AME Church, the oldest African Methodist Episcopal church in the Southern United States. Founded in 1816, the church became a central hub for Black worship and activism. In 2015, it was the site of a tragic shooting that claimed nine lives, but it remains a powerful symbol of resilience and unity in Charleston’s ongoing journey toward racial healing.

Cemeteries like the Unitarian Church Graveyard also offer a glimpse into the past with weathered tombstones, gothic carvings, and legends of Charleston’s earliest inhabitants. Walking among these hallowed grounds is both humbling and awe-inspiring—a journey into the spiritual and historical heart of the city.

Charleston’s charm doesn’t come with a price tag. Whether you’re drawn to its cobblestone streets, antebellum mansions, or coastal vistas, the Holy City offers countless ways to explore, learn, and unwind—for free. These ten activities capture the essence of Charleston’s history and spirit, proving that some of the best things in life truly are free.

So lace up your walking shoes, pack a picnic, and discover Charleston at its most authentic, one free adventure at a time.