Find Car Rentals in Charleston
What are the top attractions in Charleston?
Must-see places, ranked by popularity
Quick answer 16 top-rated attractions in Charleston, ranked by traveler popularity. Tickets & tours bookable via Viator with free cancellation on most experiences.
Book Charleston Attractions & Tours on Viator300,000+ experiences worldwide • Free cancellation on most bookings • Instant confirmation
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★ 4.5
Charleston City Market
188 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Explore →27,857 reviews
★ 4.7
Waterfront Park
Vendue Range, Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Explore →11,145 reviews
★ 4.7
Fort Sumter National Monument
South Carolina 29412, USA
Explore →11,087 reviews
★ 4.8
USS Yorktown CV-10
40 Patriots Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, USA
Explore →8,451 reviews
★ 4.8
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
40 Patriots Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, USA
Explore →7,533 reviews
★ 4.8
Pineapple Fountain
1 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Explore →6,525 reviews
★ 4.6
Rainbow Row
79-107 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Explore →7,071 reviews
★ 4.6
Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens
1235 Long Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, USA
Explore →6,857 reviews
★ 4.5
South Carolina Aquarium
100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Explore →8,051 reviews
★ 4.7
Folly Beach Pier
101 E Arctic Ave, Folly Beach, SC 29439, USA
Explore →5,248 reviews
★ 4.8
James Island County Park
871 Riverland Dr, Charleston, SC 29412, USA
Explore →3,613 reviews
★ 4.7
White Point Garden
2 Murray Blvd, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Explore →3,353 reviews
★ 4.7
Riverfront Park
1061 Everglades Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405, USA
Explore →3,316 reviews
★ 4.6
Charleston Visitor Center
375 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
Explore →3,219 reviews
★ 4.8
Hampton Park
30 Mary Murray Dr, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
Explore →1,810 reviews
★ 4.8
International African American Museum
14 Wharfside St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
Explore →1,694 reviews
What are the best tours and experiences in Charleston?
Hop-on-hop-off, food tours, day trips, skip-the-line tickets
Quick answer Top tour formats in Charleston include hop-on-hop-off bus loops, food and walking tours, day trips, and skip-the-line attraction tickets. All bookable through Viator or GetYourGuide with free cancellation on most options.
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Book →Hop-On Hop-OffWalking ToursFood ToursDay TripsBoat CruisesSkip-the-LinePrivate ToursAdventure ToursPhotography ToursNight Tours
Hop-On Hop-Off BusHop-On Hop-Off Bus in Charleston
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Food and Wine ToursFood and Wine Tours in Charleston
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City Walking ToursCity Walking Tours in Charleston
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Day TripsDay Trips in Charleston
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Boat and CruisesBoat and Cruises in Charleston
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Skip-the-LineSkip-the-Line in Charleston
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Private ToursPrivate Tours in Charleston
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Nightlife ToursNightlife Tours in Charleston
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Photography ToursPhotography Tours in Charleston
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Helicopter ToursHelicopter Tours in Charleston
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Where to eat and go out in Charleston?
Restaurants, bars, and entertainment
Quick answer Browse top-rated restaurants, nightlife venues, and live shows happening now in Charleston. Listings ranked by traveler ratings; tickets and tables bookable directly through partner sites.
Where to Eat
Hyman's Seafood$$
★ 4.9
Page's Okra Grill$$
★ 4.7
Lewis Barbecue Charleston$$
★ 4.8
Fleet Landing Restaurant & Raw Bar$$
★ 4.6
Halls Chophouse$$$$
★ 4.8
Magnolias$$$
★ 4.7
Millers All Day$$
★ 4.7
167 Raw Oyster Bar$$$
★ 4.7
Nightlife
Home Team BBQ$$
★ 4.6
The Tattooed Moose$$
★ 4.5
Slightly North of Broad Restaurant$$$
★ 4.7
82 Queen$$$
★ 4.5
Red's Ice House$$
★ 4.2
Blind Tiger Pub$$
★ 4.4
Prohibition$$
★ 4.4
Henry's On The Market$$
★ 4.2
Shows & Events
Charleston Riverdogs vs. Kannapolis Cannon BallersMay 12
Demon Hunter - There Was a Light Here TourMay 12
Charleston Riverdogs vs. Kannapolis Cannon BallersMay 13
Limbo at The Refinery presents: Freddie McClendon w/ Nick MatthewsMay 13
USD 24
DARK STAR ORCHESTRAMay 14
USD 41-68
Charleston Riverdogs vs. Kannapolis Cannon BallersMay 14
The Boss Project: A Bruce Springsteen TributeMay 14
Violent Vira - Our Lady Of Sorrows TourMay 14
Where can I shop in Charleston?
Malls, markets, and retail districts
Quick answer Top shopping destinations in Charleston from major malls to local markets. Browse the rail below for hours, locations, and ratings.
★ 4.5
Charleston City Market
188 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
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★ 4.5
Tanger Outlets Charleston
4840 Tanger Outlet Blvd, North Charleston, SC 2...
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★ 4.6
Costco Wholesale
$$
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★ 4.7
Trader Joe's
$$
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★ 4.5
Harris Teeter
290 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
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★ 4.6
Publix Super Market at Ashley Landing Mall
$$
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★ 3.7
Walmart Supercenter
$
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★ 4.5
Publix Super Market at 10 Westedge
10 Westedge St Ste 100, Charleston, SC 29403, USA
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★ 3.7
Walmart Supercenter
$
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★ 4.3
Whole Foods Market
$$$
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★ 3.7
Citadel Mall
2070 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407,...
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★ 3.8
Walmart Supercenter
$
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★ 4.3
Whole Foods Market
$$$
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★ 4.4
T.J. Maxx
$
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★ 3.7
Walmart Supercenter
$
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★ 4.4
Marshalls & HomeGoods
1495 N Hwy 17, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, USA
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What events are happening in Charleston?
Concerts, sports & shows in the next 90 days
Quick answer 47 upcoming events in Charleston across the next 90 days, including concerts, sports, and live shows. Tickets via Ticketmaster.
SportsCharleston Riverdogs vs. Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
May 12, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertDemon Hunter - There Was a Light Here Tour
May 12, 2026
Get Tickets →
SportsCharleston Riverdogs vs. Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
May 13, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertLimbo at The Refinery presents: Freddie McClendon w/ Nick Matthews
May 13, 2026
Get Tickets →
DARK STAR ORCHESTRA
May 14, 2026
Get Tickets →
SportsCharleston Riverdogs vs. Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
May 14, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertThe Boss Project: A Bruce Springsteen Tribute
May 14, 2026
Get Tickets →
Violent Vira - Our Lady Of Sorrows Tour
May 14, 2026
Get Tickets →
SportsCharleston Riverdogs vs. Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
May 15, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertCurren$y - The Winners Circle Tour
May 15, 2026
Get Tickets →
Arts & TheatreAkaash Singh: Generational Triumph Tour
May 15, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertSOUL FLY CHS
May 16, 2026
Get Tickets →
SportsCharleston Riverdogs vs. Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
May 16, 2026
Get Tickets →
Gasolina Party - 18+
May 16, 2026
Get Tickets →
The Calamity Club Book Tour: A Conversation with Kathryn Stockett
May 17, 2026
Get Tickets →
Pitbull - I'm Back with special guest Lil Jon
May 17, 2026
Get Tickets →
SportsCharleston Riverdogs vs. Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
May 17, 2026
Get Tickets →
EventInside Out Charleston
May 20, 2026
Get Tickets →
Cold - Goodbye Cruel World
May 20, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertHairball
May 21, 2026
Get Tickets →
Bubble Burlesque: A Cheeky Nod to a Yellow Underwater Square - 18+
May 22, 2026
Get Tickets →
Golden: a K-Pop Kids Party!
May 23, 2026
Get Tickets →
NIKO MOON
May 23, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertAll Your Friends - 18+
May 23, 2026
Get Tickets →
Sports
MAY
12
Charleston Riverdogs vs. Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
360 Fishburne Street, Charleston, SC
Concert
MAY
12
Demon Hunter - There Was a Light Here Tour
32 Ann Street, Charleston, SC
Sports
MAY
13
Charleston Riverdogs vs. Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
360 Fishburne Street, Charleston, SC
Concert
MAY
13
Limbo at The Refinery presents: Freddie McClendon w/ Nick Matthews
1640 Meeting Street Rd., Charleston, SC
Get TicketsUSD 24
Concert
MAY
14
DARK STAR ORCHESTRA
1640 Meeting Street Rd., Charleston, SC
Get TicketsUSD 41-68
Sports
MAY
14
Charleston Riverdogs vs. Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
360 Fishburne Street, Charleston, SC
Concert
MAY
14
The Boss Project: A Bruce Springsteen Tribute
37 John St., Charleston, SC
Concert
MAY
14
Violent Vira - Our Lady Of Sorrows Tour
32 Ann Street, Charleston, SC
Sports
MAY
15
Charleston Riverdogs vs. Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
360 Fishburne Street, Charleston, SC
Frequently asked questions about Charleston
Common traveler questions answered
What are the top things to do in Charleston?
Charleston offers world-class attractions, guided tours, restaurants, nightlife, shopping districts and live events. Explore the rails above for ranked attractions, food & drink picks, shows and experiences happening in the next 90 days.
How many days do I need in Charleston?
Most travelers find 3-5 days is enough to see the main attractions in Charleston, with extra time for day trips or beach time. Long weekends (3 days) work for highlight tours; a full week lets you slow down and explore neighborhoods, cuisine and nearby destinations.
What's the best way to get around Charleston?
Public transport, walking, taxis and rideshares cover most central areas. Renting a car gives you the most flexibility for day trips, beaches, and destinations outside the city center, with all major suppliers available at Yeager Airport (CRW).
When is the best time to visit Charleston?
Shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) typically offer the best balance of weather, crowds, and prices. Summer brings peak attractions and events but also the highest hotel rates and longest queues. Check current event listings above to align your visit with festivals or shows that interest you.
Where is the best area to stay in Charleston?
Central neighborhoods near top attractions are convenient for first-time visitors. Compare hotel rates from hundreds of sites using the KAYAK link in the sidebar to find the right balance of price, location, and amenities for your trip.
Do I need a car in Charleston?
It depends on your itinerary. For city-focused trips with central hotels, public transport and rideshares often work fine. If you plan beach days, day trips, or visits to suburbs and surrounding areas, a rental car is usually faster and cheaper than booking individual transfers.