Charleston · Things to do

The island fort where the Civil War began is only reachable on the authorised concession ferry, and tickets should be bought in advance. There is no entrance fee for the fort itself, just the boat. Fort Moultrie, the other half of the park, sits on Sullivan's Island and you can drive to it. Park phone 843 883 3123.

14 Wharfside Street, built on Gadsden's Wharf where a large share of enslaved Africans entered North America. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm with last entry 4pm, closed Mondays, and Sundays from noon since July 2026. It includes the Center for Family History for genealogy research and the Ancestors Memorial Garden outside.

The Historic Charleston Foundation runs two contrasting house museums: Aiken-Rhett is preserved unrestored, with the urban enslaved quarters, stables and kitchen still standing behind the main house; Nathaniel Russell is restored to about 1808 with an ongoing archaeological dig. Tour Aiken-Rhett in the morning in summer, as it is not air conditioned.

Founded in 1773 and calling itself America's first museum, at 360 Meeting Street, generally open 9am to 5pm. Combination tickets cover the Joseph Manigault House of 1803 and the Heyward-Washington House of 1772, the latter with the only 1740s kitchen building open to the public in the city. Phone 843 722 2996.

A National Historic Landmark at 4300 Ashley River Road, about 25 minutes upriver, with 65 acres of landscaped gardens laid out in the 1740s, a house museum, working stableyards with heritage livestock, and Eliza's House interpreting the enslaved community. Phone 843 556 6020.