11 Best Historic Sites in Charleston South Carolina

From the Revolutionary War to the first shots of The Civil War, Charleston, South Carolina has a rich history. Founded in 1670 as Charles Town, in honor of King Charles II of England. Charleston has turned into one of the most sought-after destinations for tourists and a gem in the United States. Here are my 11 best historic sites in Charleston South Carolina to see while visiting.

There are many different sides to Charleston. First, you can visit the amazing restaurants and food. Charleston is one of the best culinary cities in the United States. Secondly, beaches. There are many great beaches including Folly Beach, Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, Kiawah, Edisto, and many more. It is nice to grab a beer or a drink and enjoy it from a restaurant on the beach.

Finally, the history of Charleston. Taking a walk on cobblestone streets, looking at the antebellum houses while horse-drawn carriages stroll past, shoots you to another time. This is the reason why I fell in love with this city. There are many more ways to enjoy Charleston.

As you will see, it will not be hard to find something to do in Charleston. If you enjoy history, Charleston will be a gem.

11 Best Historic Sites in Charleston South Carolina

Charleston has so many historic sites to pick from when deciding what the best ones are. Along with the ones on this list, you will be able to walk around the streets of Charleston and find many places to view as well. Some will cost some money and some will be free. To find out some free things to do, check out my page here.

This list can be forever growing as the history of Charleston keeps growing each day. Enjoy the list and have fun exploring these historic sites in Charleston South Carolina.

1. Charles Towne Landing

The birthplace of the Carolina Colony, this spot is where English settlers first landed in 1670. Charles Towne Landing starts with the earliest accounts of settlement and colonial history. The location is a park, on a marshy point, on the banks of the

Ashley River. First, you enter the visitor center, there is a museum to walk through. The museum walks you through the history of the settling and founding of Charles Towne.

After the museum, you head outside to walk the history trail. Once on this 6-mile trail, there are numerous things to see. First, there are active archeologists working on the grounds who will be happy to talk to you. Secondly, there is a 17th-century replica sailing ship, the Adventure. Third, there is a zoo that holds North American animals that the Charles Towne settlers would have encountered. Finally, visit the Legare – Waring House which is a true Southern charm and a hot spot for weddings.

What a perfect place to start for historic sites in Charleston South Carolina. Nothing better than starting at the beginning of Charleston.

2. Boone Hall Plantation

Arriving in 1672, Major John Boone was one of the first settlers in the Colony of South Carolina. He received the land as a wedding gift in 1681 from his father-in-law. The son of Major John Boone planted the iconic oak trees in 1742 in an evenly spaced layout. This created the famous look for the southern plantation. Boone Hall Plantation is one of America’s oldest plantations that is actually still in operation producing agriculture!

Sitting on an area of 738 acres, Boone Hall Plantation grounds have seasonal crop fields, as well as creeks, ponds, and wetlands to see. Among the beautiful nature here, make sure to check out the ground’s featured exhibits.

First, make sure you take a tour of the house, where the guide will explain the full architecture and history of the house. Secondly, head outside and experience Gullah culture by watching presentations about this amazing culture. The Gullah are African Americans who are descendants of slaves of The Low Country, with their unique language, stories, and culture. Third, the history of the daily life of slaves that worked the land of the plantation including 9 slave houses. Finally, there are many more activities to see including many more tours on the grounds.

Here, you will why this is one of the best historic sites in Charleston South Carolina.

3. Ft Sumter

South Carolina seceded from the Union on December 20th, 1860. U.S. Army Major Robert Anderson abandoned Fort Moultrie and moved his companies to the unfinished Fort Sumter 6 days later. The Union troops were now on a man-made island surrounded by The South Carolina Militia.

They were now in a state that was no longer part of the Union. When Anderson refused to surrender, Confederate batteries opened fire on the fort which lasted for 34 hours on April 12, 1861. On April 13th, the fort surrendered and was evacuated. This event ushered in the first battle of The American Civil War.

It is a strange feeling to stand in a place with such significance in Charleston and American History. To get there, you will need to take a ferry ride out to the island from Patriots Point. If you are lucky, you will be able to see dolphins swimming on the ride. The tour of the fort is amazing! While touring you get to see amazing things including cannonball that is still in the walls!

4. The Charleston Museum

America’s first museum, The Charleston Museum was founded in 1773. The museum first opened to the public in 1824, though it was temporarily closed during the Civil War. The museum’s current location in Charleston was completed in 1980.

There are lots of great exhibits to see and learn about. Start out with Lowcountry History. Learn about the Native Americans that inhabited the area, the colonists, the enslaved African Americans, and the wars that impacted the area. Next, head over to Becoming Americans, how Charleston had an important role in the Revolutionary War to become an independent nation.

After that, the Bunting Natural History Gallery tells the story of the history of the Lowcountry. After that, City Under Siege goes over the history of Charleston during the Civil War. Finally, there are more exhibits to walk through and continue to learn the history of Charleston and the surrounding area.

5. Ft Moultrie

On June 28, 1776, Commodore Sir Peter Parker of the British Royal Navy had his nine warships attack Fort Sullivan. This happened during the beginning of The American Revolutionary War.

Earlier in the year, Colonel William Moultrie of the 2nd South Carolina Regiment took command of the incomplete fort. Ft. Sullivan was the line of defense for Charleston against naval invasion. They built the fort out of palmetto logs. When the British attacked, the palmetto logs did not shatter, in fact, they absorbed the cannon fire from the warships. Col Moultrie was able to hold off the British and damage their ships and send them on a retreat.

The fort was renamed Fort Moultrie in his honor, his battle flag was used as the inspiration for the present-day South Carolina state flag. The British did eventually capture the fort in 1780 but retreated from Charleston in 1782.

Fort Moultrie would be in use through WWII and decommissioned in 1947. Fort Moultrie was active for 171 years. As you tour the fort, you walk through all the eras of American history for which it protected our seacoast.

6. The Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon

Building finished in 1771, The Old Exchange Building has been used for many different things. From being a Custom House, a Post Office, and a USO facility during WWII, this building has a rich history in Charleston.

When Charleston fell to the British in 1780, the Exchanged was used as a barracks and prison during The American Revolutionary War. The prison held Colonial Troops, enslaved African Americans, even some British Troops, and some say, pirates.

Once the war ended, The Exchange was used to host South Carolina leaders as they ratified The Constitution of The United States in 1788. The Exchange was used for many events while George Washington was in Charleston for his Southern Tour in 1791. These are just some of the highlights of the history of The Exchange and what it means to Charleston.

The Half-Moon Battery is the only part of the original city wall of Charleston. It was uncovered in 1965 under The Exchange Building and is open for the public to see.

7. Magnolia Gardens

Arriving from Barbados to Charles Towne, Thomas Drayton and his wife, Ann established Magnolia Plantation in 1676. Thomas and Ann were the first owners of the plantation. This would lead to 15 generations and 300 years later to still having the plantation in the family.

Magnolia Plantation was originally a rice plantation. It used African-American slaves to work the rice fields. These African American slaves helped start and spread the Gullah culture in The Low Country.

In the 1840s, Reverend John Grimke-Drayton inherited the plantation and transformed it into the gardens that it is famous for today. He wanted to create romantic gardens for his wife, Julia. It’s said that John was the first to introduce Azaleas to America.

The plantation house burned down during The Civil War. The gardens opened to the public in 1870. They included many parts to see such as Barbados Tropical Garden, Camellia Collection, Cypress Lake, Flowerdale, The Long Bridge, Swamp Garden, and many more!

8. Old Slave Mart Museum

In the sad but true and dark history of The United States, there was slavery. Primarily in the southern states, it was mostly made up of Africans that were bought, sold, and traded. Slaves that were brought into Charleston were sold in public auctions up until 1856 when the city prohibited the sale in public venues.

Enclosed slave markets opened up including Ryan’s Mart, which is the site of The Old Slave Mart Museum. This place was used for the slave trade until February 1865 when Union Troops occupied Charleston.

At one point during the slave trade, 35%-40% of slaves that entered The United States came through Charleston, SC. The Old Slave Mart Museum is staffed by descendants of Charleston slaves. This is not a place for young children or looking for artifacts. There is a lot of reading and education done at the museum.

Though it is a dark part of the history of Charleston and The United States, it is still good to learn from the past. That way, we as a people do not repeat our transactions of the past.

9. Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum

Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum is an amazing place to walk in the steps of the heroes of our military family. First, to tour, the USS Yorktown, which is an Essex Class Aircraft Carrier that served from 1943 to 1970. You are able to tour many decks and different parts of the ship. You are able to see the main engineering, mess hall, quarters, ammo rooms, the flight deck which holds 28 naval aircraft, and the bridge.

After the USS Yorktown, make your way to the destroyer, USS Laffey. The Laffey served from 1944 to 1975. This is “The Ship That Would Not Die”, getting this nickname from uses in the D-Day Invasion and The Battle of Okinawa.

Next, you will want to make your way to the Vietnam Experience. This area is built like a USMC Artillery Firebase. There are 4 helicopters in the exhibit to view.

This is one of the best historic sites in Charleston South Carolina and a must for any fan of military history. This is a great place to take your kids to learn about military history.

10. Old City Jail

Also known as The Old City Jail, it was in use between 1802 and 1939. This jail held many different prisoners during the time it was in use. Of course, during the Civil War, it held both Union and Confederate troops. Pirates have a history in Charleston as well. Pirates were held here as prisoners.

Among the notable prisoners, 2 major ones stand out. First, Lavinia Fisher and her husband John, who were part of a highway robbery gang, were held from 1819 to 1820. They were executed at the jail in 1820. Secondly, Denmark Vessey, who was jailed in 1822 planned a slave revolt. He planned to take out slave owners, free slaves, and sail them to Haiti.

The Old City Jail is famous now because most say that it is haunted by Lavinia Fisher. The only way to take tours is through a company that specializes in ghost tours in Charleston.

As of 2021, The Old City Jail is currently under renovation.

11. H.L. Hunley

At the time the Confederate States were looking into submarine warfare, the Union had a strong blockade around all the southern states. The Confederacy is looking into options around the blockade or ways to get through it.

The story of the H. L. Hunley also known as just the Hunley goes back to February 1862 during the Civil War. The first submarine was designed and the first tests were done on a submarine called, the Pioneer. In January 1863, the American Diver, which was the next submarine built before the Hunley, proceeded to have harbor trials done.

The Hunley started to be built in April 1863 at Park and Lyons Machine Shop in Mobile, Alabama. In July of the same year, the Hunley was launched for the first time. She showed a lot of promise during her first demonstrations. In August 1863, the Hunley was shipped to Charleston by rail to help with the blockade that was choking the city.

The Hunley had two test missions where she sank and her crew was lost. On February 17, 1864, the Hunley heads out and makes world history by becoming the first combat submarine to sink another ship, the USS Housatonic. No one knows what exactly happened to the Hunley but she never made it back to port and was lost at sea for over a century.

The Hunley was discovered by NUMA on May 3, 1995, and was raised from the sea on August 8, 2000. The ship still had her crewmembers inside of her. The 8-man crew was laid to rest in Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston.

You can see the Hunley today in Charleston at the Friends of the Hunley. Let me just say, it is really amazing in person!

Get your Charleston Tour Pass today and save on visiting the best historic sites in Charleston South Carolina

Visiting many of these locations or all of them can get pricey. The best way to get as many of these as possible is by purchasing a Charleston Tour Pass and taking advantage of the savings. Order yours today and save with a multi-day pass.

Have Your Bags Picked Up While You Explore With Charleston Bag Valet

Don’t want to haul your luggage all around Charleston while waiting for your flight to leave or for your hotel to be ready? Good News! Charleston Bag Valet will help you out with that. As they say, you explore, they store.

Charleston Bag Valet will pick up your bags curbside anywhere in Charleston and secure each item with a customizable tamper-proof lock. They will store your bags in an insured and secured climate-controlled environment while you explore. When you are ready, they will deliver your bags to you where you want them and when you want them. You can even have them delivered to the airport for your ease.

What part of Charleston South Carolina is historic?

Being one of the oldest cities in The United States, Charleston has history at almost every corner. Charleston’s history spreads all over the Lowcountry. You will find the majority of the major historic locations on the peninsula.

Known as Historic Charleston, downtown Charleston is full of historical houses, museums, churches, and other numerous sites. You will find that Charleston is proud of its history and how it helped shape The United States.

How do you see historic sites in Charleston South Carolina?

The best way to see the historic sites in Charleston South Carolina is by walking. Charleston is on a peninsula so there is only so much room to go. This is a perfect city to walk in. It is easy to get lost for hours just discovering the streets of Charleston.

However, if you get tired and need to find another way around, Charleston has plenty of other options for you.

  • Horse and Carriage – There are many tours that will take you through the historic sites in Charleston South Carolina. Click the link to get an awesome deal.
  • Rickshaw – Downtown has a lot of rickshaws that would love to take you to all the downtown historic sites.
  • Rideshare – There are always plenty of rideshare options throughout Charleston. You will need to use these to get to some of the locations like plantations.

Historic sites in Charleston South Carolina in conclusion

A city that is rich in history, Charleston has many more places to discover when it comes to her history. Take your time to walk through every area and discover the beauty of historic Charleston. I recommend a walking tour or horse carriage tour to get a sense of all the history in the city.

Read more about different things to do in Charleston, SC What 13 things should I not miss in Charleston SC post.

I hope that you will enjoy all these 11 best historic sites in Charleston South Carolina as much as I do. Please see as many of these locations as possible.

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